Inauguration Rescheduled to Indoor Venue Due to Severe Cold Weather

Due to extreme cold predictions on Inauguration Day, President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed that his inaugural address will be held inside the Capitol rotunda instead of outside, alongside a shift of the inaugural parade to the Capital One Arena.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced a significant change for his inauguration on January 20, moving the event indoors to mitigate risks posed by dangerously low temperatures forecasted for Washington, D.C. Instead of delivering his inaugural address outside the Capitol, Trump will now speak inside the Capitol rotunda, with the inaugural parade also relocated to the nearby Capital One Arena. This arena, located approximately one mile from the Capitol, will host the parade, along with all three inaugural balls.

In a message shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized his concern for public safety, stating he doesn’t want anyone to be injured due to the intense cold. He highlighted the hazardous conditions for audiences and emergency responders, urging attendees to "dress warmly" if they decide to come. With weather forecasts predicting lows of -11C (12F) and highs of -5C (23F), some of the coldest conditions on inauguration day in U.S. history are anticipated as a polar vortex grips the nation.

The shift to indoor venues means a reduced audience, which may be a concern for Trump, known for his focus on attendance figures at his events. In prior elections, Trump claimed attendance numbers reached as high as 1.5 million for his first inauguration, while crowd size analysts later estimated that attendance was much lower than claimed.

Tickets for the inauguration were originally distributed to accommodate 220,000 attendees on the Capitol grounds; however, with the change, alternate viewing arrangements will be necessary for ticket holders and general supporters alike. Trump assured that his upcoming rally on Sunday and the series of inaugural balls on Monday will still proceed as scheduled.

As the nation witnesses Trump's historic inauguration under extreme weather conditions, many recall past events where weather significantly impacted ceremonies, notably Ronald Reagan's 1985 indoor inauguration, held for similar reasons. The legacy of outdoor confrontations with the elements remains part of the rich narrative of U.S. presidential inaugurations.