The signature red MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats were replaced with wool hats emblazoned with "Trump." The coveted tickets to the historic event, an endeavor that took hundreds of people weeks to organize, instantly became worthless. Plans for tens of thousands of attendees shifted in a heartbeat, all due to the Siberian weather that descended on the capital.
At noon local time, when Trump was to take his oath on the Bibles belonging to his mother and Abraham Lincoln, temperatures were forecasted to hit freezing temperatures.
"It's dangerous. I don't want people to get hurt," the president-elect explained, justifying his unprecedented decision to hold the ceremony indoors for the first time in decades. Indeed, standing outdoors in such bitter cold for hours without moving could have ended disastrously.
As compensation for the many guests who traveled from across the US, Trump promised to appear at Washington's largest arena after the ceremony. "I'll join you there. We'll have a lovely event," he wrote on his social media platform, Truth.
The cancellation of the public segment of the inauguration did little to dampen the joy of his many supporters. By Saturday afternoon, it was clear that the typically quiet weekend city was filling with visitors: elderly people, children, women, men, fathers with babies, and even a few dozen Israelis who, for various reasons, wanted to experience Trump's return to the White House firsthand.
Israel dominates the agenda
Events in Israel claimed the second spot on America's daily agenda, trailing only the inauguration and even overshadowing the TikTok ban.
People on the street, noticing my kippah, asked, "Were they released?" In response, I showed them the harrowing images from Israel. "God bless," they replied, visibly moved. The sense of shared emotion extended here as well.
US media followed the hostage deal live, breaking into broadcasts with updates on every development. Both Trump and Biden issued statements. Anchors wiped away tears, and commentators emphasized the high price Israel was paying. When a Fox News reporter mentioned that "terrorists responsible for bus and pizza parlor bombings, killing dozens, will be released," the studio panel reacted: "It's horrific."
The deal captured so much attention that a credit battle erupted between Biden, Trump, and their teams over who deserved recognition for the breakthrough. When a reporter teased Biden, saying, "Trump claims the deal is thanks to him," Biden turned around with a wink and quipped, "Is that a joke?"
Protesters in the cold
Near the Lincoln Memorial, dozens of demonstrators gathered, calling for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Among them were Noa Argamani and members of the Netura family, who addressed Trump directly: "You can free the others. Free them."
Among the demonstrators braving the severe cold was Shubi Danik, an Israeli living in Virginia. She and her husband felt compelled to come and raise their voices for the hostages after seeing the images from Israel. "We felt relief seeing the three hostages released, so we came despite the roadblocks and weather. We're here to support the swift release of all the hostages, amen and amen. We're here in DC to support this cause no matter what."
