President Donald Trump’s second inauguration on Monday became not just a political event, but a showcase of wealth and influence, as some of the world’s wealthiest individuals gathered at the U.S. Capitol. 

With a combined net worth exceeding $1.2 trillion, billionaires from across industries and continents attended, signaling their support and interest in Trump’s pro-business policies.

Among the high-profile attendees were SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos. Joining them were global leaders like Indian magnate Mukesh Ambani and LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, making it a rare congregation of financial and technological power.

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inauguration distinctive was the prominence of Silicon Valley elite.

Easily identifiable were the world's three richest men - Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. And that's not to mention some of the billionaires not placed directly in view of the cameras.

When the riches of the billionaire tech founders, millionaire business people and wealthy politicians are totted up there was more than $1trn - over a thousand billion - in the rotunda of the Capitol on Monday morning.

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The Department of Government Efficiency’s first order of business was itself: It’s now down to one leader.

Vivek Ramaswamy is no longer part of the commission that President Donald Trump championed, officials confirmed hours after the Republican took office Monday, and that leaves billionaire Elon Musk to run the cost-cutting operation alone.

Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur who sought the GOP nomination for president in 2024, has signaled plans to run for governor of Ohio next year. A native of Cincinnati, Ramaswamy, 39, had shown interest in Vice President JD Vance’s recently vacated Senate seat before Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine chose Lt. Gov. Jon Husted as Vance’s successor.

“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,” Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the commission, said in a statement. “He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”

Trump picked Musk and Ramaswamy to lead DOGE, a nongovernmental task force that Trump has assigned to find ways to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations — all part of what the new president calls his “Save America” agenda for his second term.

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With her eyes almost entirely obscured by the rim of her wool boater-style hat, Melania Trump stood behind President-elect Donald Trump on stage at the United States Capitol Rotunda as he pledged the oath of office.

Designed by New York-based milliner Eric Javits, Trump’s hat was an austere flourish to a neat, military-style ensemble. Her navy silk wool double-breasted coat was nipped at the waist and worn with bare legs and stiletto heels.

The piece was designed by Adam Lippes, a New York-based designer who has dressed Biden and Michelle Obama. (Trump has previously worn Lippes several times, most recently choosing a shirtdress from the fashion house last summer while out in New York and wore the label several times during her husband’s first term.) Beneath the tailored coat was a silk wool pencil skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse folded into a sharp neckline, all hand-sewn by Lippes’ team in New York. “The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honor to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump,” Lippes said in a statement. “Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world.”

The only sign that this was the coldest inauguration ceremony in 40 years came from her black leather gloves.

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Elon Musk's appearance at a Trump rally this afternoon is garnering significant attention online over a one-armed gesture.

He made the gesture while thanking supporters for contributing to Trump's victory. Musk thanked the crowd for "making it happen", before placing his right hand over his heart and then thrusting the same arm out into air straight ahead of him.

"My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured," he said.

Several users on X, the social medial platform he owns, have likened the gesture to a Nazi salute.

Musk has since responded, posting on his social media site X: "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired."

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Donald and Melania Trump hit three inaugural balls in one night a they lit up Washington D.C. to mark the beginning of a new MAGA era. 

The newly sworn-in president and his glamorous first lady started at the military-themed Commander in Chief Ball, before heading to the nearby Liberty Ball where they danced onstage with the entire Trump family. Then, they motorcaded to Union Station for the Starlight Ball. 

'We needed three because we have such support,' Trump told the crowd at the Liberty Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Monday night. 

The crowds waited for hours to see the returned commander-in-chief and he and the first lady, who were finally played on by the United States Marine Band at the Commander in Chief ball a little before 10:30 p.m.

Melania debuted a leggy, white-and-black gown, which was custom-made by Hervé Pierre, the same designer who crafted her 2017 inaugural outfit. 

They did their first slow dance to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, played by the United States Marine Band, before being joined onstage by Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha. 

Both couples then danced with members of the military, as is the custom. 

'This is quite a gathering huh?' the 47th president said to the crowd that numbered in the thousands, with many servicemembers sporting their dress uniforms. 

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Some onlookers observed that President Donald Trump didn't place his hand on the Bible when sworn in at his inauguration, prompting questions about how the Bible traditionally factors into the ceremony. 

While it is common for incoming presidents to place their hand on a Bible while taking the oath of office, it's not a legal requirement.

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution states that "all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

First lady Melania Trump held two Bibles — one given to Mr. Trump by his mother when he was a child, and the Lincoln Bible, which was used at Abraham Lincoln's 1861 inauguration. 

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