Donald Trump confirmed that his inauguration as US president on Monday will move indoors due to expected freezing weather, undercutting the Republican's hopes for a grandiose spectacle to kick off his second term.
"There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country," Trump wrote on his Truth Social feed on Friday. "Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda."
The change of plan means Trump will not stand on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which traditionally hosts a large crowd to welcome new presidents. The Rotunda, an ornate, round hall under the dome of Congress, can typically only hold a few hundred people.
Washington is forecast to be well below freezing on Monday, with gusty winds adding to the cold.
Preparations have already been made in Washington for a huge influx of visitors -- including thousands of chairs neatly lined up on the Mall -- but most will now have to watch on television.
It's the first time the emergency measure has been taken since the 1985 inauguration of Ronald Reagan, also due to dangerously cold weather.
In his post, Trump said that "various Dignitaries and Guests" will attend the events inside the Capitol, including prayers, the inaugural address and the singing of the anthem.
The Republican, who has built a political brand around his large rallies, said supporters could watch the event on a live feed in Washington's Capital One sports arena -- and that he would go there after.
Trump -- who at 78 will be the oldest person ever to assume the presidency -- said the ceremonies in the Rotunda "will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!"
"We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In."
Trump supporter Matthew Medill, visiting Washington from more balmy California, said some will be disappointed, but "we are expecting a lot of excitement and a lot of jubilation -- it doesn't matter what the weather is."
WHO'S WAS BIGGER?
After his first inauguration in 2017, Trump was infuriated by reports that his crowd on the Mall was distinctly smaller than the turnout for Barack Obama in 2009.
Trump claimed more than 1.5 million supporters thronged the Mall, far in excess of Obama's crowd, and his spokesman announced that the inauguration had been the most attended ever.
However, this was immediately proven to be a lie, with aerial photos showing a far sparser crowd at Trump's event than at Obama's.
The switch this time means Trump will miss out altogether on the traditional address to a sea of people, while looking out toward the soaring Washington Monument.
However, as a former reality TV star, Trump will embrace the potential for television-friendly theatrics, both in the elegant Rotunda and afterward in the arena.
"This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!" Trump posted.
Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Wizards basketball team and ice hockey's Washington Capitals, has a seating capacity of around 20,000.
Before the decision to scrap the outdoor event, more than 220,000 tickets were distributed to the public via lawmakers' offices.
People braving the cold can still catch a glimpse of the newly sworn-in president as he travels down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
The White House, Capitol and parts of the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route are already ringed by eight-foot high (2.4-meter) metal barriers. And around 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel are converging on Washington, according to US Secret Service special agent Matt McCool.
The country's ninth president, William Henry Harrison, decided to ignore bitter weather at his 1841 inauguration, hoping to demonstrate his vigor, given that he was the oldest man elected to the job at that stage, at 68 years old.
He went out without a coat or hat -- and died a month later from pneumonia.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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