US President-elect Donald Trump reacts at a MAGA victory rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, a day before his inauguration. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide title
The day before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president, he and his followers celebrated with an hours-long rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
"Tomorrow at noon, America's four-year decline ends, and we begin a new day of American strength, prosperity, dignity and pride," Trump loudly cheered to the crowd.
"We will end once and for all the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington, a failed government."
Trump will appear at the same location tomorrow after his swearing-in ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, after canceling an outdoor parade in anticipation of cold weather. Supporters can also watch the inauguration live from the venue.
He used Sunday to preview several first-day actions, including on border security, energy and ending the Biden administration's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across government agencies.
He also celebrated his electoral victory and praised a number of recent developments, including the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that took effect on Sunday.
“I know Biden said they had a deal, okay,” he said, his voice trailing off and chuckling as the crowd booed.
Steve Witkoff, Trump's pick for the Middle East envoy, was involved in the final push to negotiate the deal, along with President Biden's Middle East envoy.
Trump was also pleased that the popular video app Tiktok was back online. TikTok was taken offline on Saturday night under a law that effectively bans the service nationwide unless it is separated from its Chinese owners, but Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday that he would be suspending The law extends liability protections to tech companies supporting TikTok.
At Sunday's rally, he reiterated a proposal he made on social media for the U.S. government to take a 50% stake in the social media platform, without providing further details.
His promotion of Tiktok is in contrast to Trump's 2020 attempt to ban the platform.
Trump supporters stood in freezing rain all morning before the rally began.
"I'm not going to miss a thing," said Cindy Pugh, who traveled from suburban Minneapolis. "Donald Trump has been the best president in my lifetime. He has sacrificed so much for Americans, including me."
Trump won the popular vote for the first time in November. Pew said that fact made him feel this election was different from his 2016 victory.
"This victory reflects a strong call from the American people for action, for our voices to be heard, for action to be taken on our behalf and not be beholden to the political establishment. So I do feel different," she said.
However, many of the rally speeches took on a darker tone.
"You all are wearing MAGA hats, which used to be an act of civil disobedience," political commentator Megyn Kelly told the crowd, referring to the Make America Great Again hat. “But for most of the past eight years, wearing that hat has also been an act of bravery.”
She ended her speech with the command: "Don't bend. Never bow."
Trump adviser Stephen Miller linked Trump's multiple legal cases to his supporters themselves being threatened by Trump's opponents.
Trump has been charged in multiple criminal cases, although his 34 felony convictions in New York state are the only ones to go to trial.
"They are prosecuting him, they are trying to jail him, to take away his freedom, to take away his family, to take away his business, to take away your voice, your future, to take away your hopes, your dreams, your government, your country ," Miller told the crowd.
Musicians Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood were in attendance, as well as actor Jon Voight and Tesla CEO Elon Musk At the rally, Trump said Musk would lead the Government Efficiency Group, which aims to recommend government spending cuts. Trump did not mention former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who he also initially asked to lead DOGE.
The Trump campaign did not respond to questions about the size of the crowd at the rally. Capital One Arena has a seating capacity of about 20,000, according to local media. Supporters packed the arena floor and lower two tiers of seats, as well as about half the seats on the top floor.