Washington, D.C. — Donald J. Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, completing an extraordinary political comeback four years after losing the presidency to Joe Biden. The 78-year-old Republican, who first took office in 2017 as a political outsider, returned to the White House surrounded by some of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in the country.

During his inaugural address, Trump vowed to issue a wave of immediate executive orders targeting immigration and reigniting the nation’s cultural debates. “This is the beginning of a new chapter for America,” he declared, promising swift action on his administration’s key priorities.

The ceremony at the Capitol showcased the influence of the elite in Trump’s second administration. Attendees included tech titans such as Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, all seated prominently alongside Trump’s cabinet members.

Musk, the world’s richest man and a vocal supporter of Trump, was a central figure in the campaign, contributing $250 million to support Trump’s bid for office. Musk is expected to lead a cost-cutting initiative within the administration while continuing to champion his far-right policies on the X social platform.

The inauguration also marked a symbolic moment of reconciliation. Unlike 2021, when Trump refused to attend Biden’s inauguration following his unfounded claims of electoral fraud, Biden joined the ceremony alongside former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were also in attendance, though Michelle Obama was notably absent.

Trump’s return to the presidency has already set the stage for a contentious term, with strong support from his base and scrutiny from critics wary of his policies and alliances. The next chapter of his presidency promises to be as divisive and dramatic as his first.