It's Here: What to Watch for at Trump Inauguration

His address could have echoes of Nixon
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 20, 2017 5:17 AM CST
Updated Jan 20, 2017 6:26 AM CST
What to Watch for on Inauguration Day
A view of the National Mall, looking at the Washington Monument, from Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The US begins its journey into uncharted territory Friday when Donald Trump takes political office for the first time in his life—starting at the top. He will deliver his inaugural address at 11:51am, according to the AP's timeline, and analysts say it will be one of the most closely watched in history. Advisers say that, like many predecessors, Trump will issue a call for unity and give his vision of "one America." Experts tell NBC News that Trump's unique and repetitive speaking style will drive the message home and maybe even go a little way toward unifying America. "If I keep saying it, it becomes it," says New York University neuroscience professor David Poeppel. In other coverage:

  • The Los Angeles Times reports that Trump has said he looked to the speeches of Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon to prepare—and of the three, Nixon might be most relevant. After winning with a minority of the popular vote in the deeply divisive 1968 election, Nixon called on the "better angels of our nature" in his inaugural address, saying America had heard too much inflated and bombastic rhetoric. "We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another," he said.

  • The San Francisco Chronicle lists five things to look for in Trump's address, including efforts to reassure foreign leaders. Ad-libs are also a strong possibility, though analysts say trying to wing it could be a big mistake.
  • The speech was largely written by incoming senior White House adviser Stephen Miller, Politico reports in its guide to inaugural events, which includes viewing tips and the order of the ceremony.
  • The Washington Post looks at the many demonstrations that will be taking place across the capital on Friday, including a few pro-Trump events, as well as numerous "counterinaugural" protests. The "Let America Hear Us, Roar for Trump" group will be sharing Dupont Circle with a pro-marijuana group that plans to hand out 4,200 joints.
  • Time takes a look back at every Inauguration Day in US history, and at what every president had to say on the occasion.
  • The Times of London reports on the "security nightmare" posed by Trump's first ride in the presidential limousine, which will take him past tens of thousands of people between the Capitol and the White House. Many will be watching to see whether he chooses to walk part of the way as predecessors including Obama did.
  • The New York Times speaks to five Trump voters from very different backgrounds to find out why they traveled to DC for the inauguration.
  • Protests are taking place in cities across the world, but in Melania Trump's hometown in Slovenia, they're getting ready for a huge party, TMZ reports.
  • The Atlantic reports that there will apparently be no poetry on the agenda, which is more a sign of the partisan divide than a break with tradition.
(More Trump inauguration stories.)

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