Donald Trump has arrived in Washington with his wife Melania ahead of Friday’s inauguration ceremony which will see the property tycoon become the 45th president of the United States.
He flew in from New York aboard a plane from the presidential fleet.
Various events are scheduled for Thursday: dinner with Congress leaders and his team, a visit to the Arlington military cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, and evening fireworks.
Earlier the president-elect used his favourite communication tool to repeat the campaign slogan that will begin being put to the test after Friday.
Getting ready to leave for Washington, D.C. The journey begins and I will be working and fighting very hard to make it a great journey for..— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2017
the American people. I have no doubt that we will, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2017
In Washington Trump had lunch – appropriately enough in the capital’s Trump hotel – where he addressed supporters.
His speech at the same time on Friday – midday local time as fixed by the Constitution – will be seen worldwide.
His spokesman Sean Spicer said it would be a personal, sincere presentation outlining the new president’s vision for the United States: a “philosophical” address rather than one outlining a detailed programme.
Many of an estimated hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend the inauguration have been arriving in Washington.
But recent protests are a reminder that it will be a far from harmonious occasion for the nation as a whole.
One group, RefuseFascism.org, has vowed to continue protesting, saying Trump’s “regime” needs to be stopped “before it gets started”.
