How to watch Donald Trump's 2025 presidential inauguration in Australia and what time the ceremony starts

Donald Trump won the US presidential election in November last year, but he's not officially the president yet. 

First he needs to be sworn in as the new leader in a ceremony which will mean a lot of salutes, stars and stripes. 

Here's what to expect from his inauguration. 

When is Trump's inauguration?

Early tomorrow morning — if you're watching from here in Australia. 

He'll be officially be sworn in as the new US president on January 20. 

That'll be at around noon on Monday in Washington DC — which is America's capital city and the political centre of the US. 

But, because of the time difference, it'll be very early on Tuesday morning in Australia.

While the dates of the Australian federal election can be fluid, the US president race is much more rigid, so Inauguration Day occurs every four years on January 20.

However, if January 20 falls on a Sunday, the inauguration will be held on Janaury 21 — which is what happened at Barack Obama's second inauguration ceremony in 2013.

What time is Trump's inauguration?

The official moment happens at about noon in Washington DC. 

Here's what time you'll need to tune in if you're watching the ABC broadcast of the ceremony live in Australia:

• ACT, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria: 3:30am AEDT
• South Australia: 3am ACDT
• Queensland: 2:30am AEST
• Northern Territory: 2am ACST
• Western Australia: 2:30am AWST

Where can I watch Trump's inauguration in Australia? 

It'll be broadcast live on ABC News and ABC iview. 

The ABC's inauguration broadcast goes for two-and-a-half hours.

We'll also be live blogging the whole thing — you'll be able to find it by tapping the "Live now" toggle at the top of the ABC News homepage on Tuesday morning. 

Where is Trump's inauguration?

In the Capitol Rotundra in Washington DC. 

Typically, the swearing-in ceremony is held outside the US Capitol building, which is basically the US equivalent of Parliament House in Canberra (and, yes, it is spelled Capitol with an "o"). 

Workers construct a temporary platform over the steps to accommodate all the people witnessing the event. 

But this year it's being held indoors because severe weather means it'll be too cold for guests to be outside. 

The Capitol Rotunda is a large hall under the iconic dome of the building, and was where former president Jimmy Carter's coffin lay in state before his funeral. 

It can seat up to 600 people.

The limited seating means some guests will have to view the ceremony on a big screen at Washington DC's pro basketball and hockey arena.

It'll be the first time in 40 years the swearing-in ceremony won't be held on the steps of the Capitol building. 

The temperature for the time of the swearing-in ceremony is forecast to be minus 7 degrees Celsius — but the wind chill factor is set to make the icy temperature feel even colder. 

For context, it was 5.5C when Joe Biden was sworn in back in 2021. 

What is a presidential inauguration?

Generally speaking, an inauguration is a formal ceremony that introduces a new leader. 

In the context of the US presidential election, however, it's a multi-day series of events that mark the beginning of a new administration taking over the government. 

There's a four-day schedule of events for Trump's inauguration, which includes things like fireworks, balls, a luncheon and a parade — more on that later. 

But the key event is the swearing-in ceremony.

That's where Trump will take what's called the oath of office, when he'll raise his right hand recite the following:

This will happen at about midday because, according to the US constitution, a presidential term officially begins at noon on January 20 of the year following the election.

Trump will then make a speech, known as the inaugural address.

Then there will be what's called the Honorary Departure, which is where the outgoing president and first lady — Joe and Jill Biden — leave the Capitol.

Traditionally, they're escorted by the new president and first lady through a military guard of honour to the steps of the presidential helicopter. 

After this, Trump will go to the President's Room inside the Capitol Building for a signing-in ceremony.

Will it be different to Biden's inauguration?

Yes, and not just because Mr Biden is a Democrat and Trump is a Republican. 

It will look quite different because Mr Biden was sworn into office during the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant face masks and social distancing. 

Not only that, but Washington DC was still reeling after Trump supporters forced their way into Capitol building a fortnight earlier — by the time of Mr Biden's inauguration, the city was still under a state of emergency order and spectators were urged to stay at home.

So the National Mall was empty, with thousands of flags planted in the ground to stand in for the crowds of people who gathered to watch the ceremony on big-screen televisions at previous inaugurations.

Trump didn't go to Mr Biden's inauguration, breaking a longstanding tradition — he was the first sitting president since Andrew Johnson in 1869 to skip his successor's inauguration.

But it was still a star-studded affair, with Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks performing during the ceremony.

Another big feature of the inauguration was a poetry reading from former Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.

And, if you're someone who only remembers history in the concept of memes, you'll remember this image of Senator Bernie Sanders and his infamous pair of mittens.

Who is performing at Trump's inauguration?

Some of the bigger names include country music star Carrie Underwood and The Village People. 

Country singer Lee Greenwood will perform as Trump walks out to take the oath, and opera singer Christopher Macchio will sing the national anthem. 

Underwood will perform America the Beautiful, a song from the late 1800s which is like a second national anthem for the United States. 

The Village People's 1978 hit YMCA became a theme song for Trump, who played it as he walked to the stage at his campaign rallies. 

The band will play at one of Trump's inaugural balls — there's three — as well as the rally he's holding the day before his swearing-in ceremony.

Trump's campaign website also says Rascal Flatts and Kid Rock will be performing as part of the schedule of events. 

Who pays for the inauguration?

Taxpayers will only foot the bill for the swearing-in ceremony. 

The rest of the events will be paid for by Trump's inauguration committee — which is bolstered by big-ticket donations. 

Amazon, Meta and Uber pledged to donate $US 1 million to the fund, as well as Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Who else is going to Trump's inauguration?

Trump's family and Republican allies will be there, but the guest list for the swearing-in ceremony and other inaugural events goes beyond those within his own political party. 

All living former US presidents will be attending. 

Barack Obama 

Barack Obama was president before Trump's first term.

He'll be there to see the start of his second term, but his wife Michelle Obama won't be there — just like she wasn't at former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral in Washington last week.

A statement to the Associated Press confirming Mr Obama's attendance didn't give a reason for Ms Obama missing the event. 

Mr Obama was president from 2009 to 2017.

Laura and George W Bush

The Office of George W Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush would attend.

Mr Bush was president from 2001 to 2009.

Bill and Hillary Clinton

Bill Clinton — whose real name is William — will be attending along with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Mr Clinton was president from 1993 to 2001.

Ms Clinton ran against Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

In December, Trump said he had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping, but he won't be coming in person and will send Vice-President Han Zheng in his place. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won't be going either, but Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australia's ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd will be at the swearing in ceremony. 

Here's a few others who might make an appearance, according to early reports:

Nayib Bukele 

In December, the Associated Press said El Salvador President Nayib Bukele was invited. 

He leads a populist right-wing government.

Giorgia Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she hoped to attend the inauguration.

"Meloni is seen by some as a strong European ally for Trump, given her conservative credentials and the stability of the right-wing coalition she controls," ABC Europe bureau chief Mazoe Ford explains. 

Javier Milei

Argentina's president, Javier Milei has said he will attend, Reuters reports.

Mr Milei is a strong supporter of Trump's, paying homage to the new leader with his campaign tagline being "Make Argentina Great Again".

Viktor Orban

Hungarian President Viktor Orban has said he is considering coming, Reuters reports. 

He's one of Trump's strongest foreign allies, ABC Europe bureau chief Mazoe Ford explains. 

Jeff Bezos

Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos will be there, according to US news network NBC. 

Amazon said it would donate $US 1 million to the inauguration planning committee. 

Elon Musk

Elon Musk campaigned alongside Trump and was picked to lead his new Department of Government Efficiency.

He's set to feature prominently at the swearing in ceremony, according to US news network NBC. 

Mark Zuckerberg

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is co-hosting a reception with billionaire Republican donors on Monday evening, shortly before the inaugural balls.

That's according to two people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, however Meta declined to comment. 

Meta said it would donate $US 1 million to the inauguration planning committee. 

What's the full schedule for Trump's inauguration?

All events are according to Eastern Standard Time, which is the time zone Washington DC is in:

ABC with Wires