Jan 20, 202110 min read

Finally, The 59th Presidential Inauguration

Follow our live blog for updates on today’s spectacle

(Mario Sorrentini for Instyle Magazine)

When the last four years have been engrossed by Trumpian catastrophe and neverending slews of disasters, it’s hard to believe we may exist in a time that our president has more than three brain cells.

But alas, the day has finally come. Let’s hope we get through it.

On Wednesday, Jan. 20th, President-elect Joseph Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn into the White House. For many, it’s a fucking celebration! But while festivities are being planned, this year’s celebration is a muted one.

For one, Biden will be entering the presidency overwhelmed under the weight of the pandemic. Massive social gathers just aren’t a good idea right now. For another, there are lots of angry people wearing red hats walking around DC right now and we can't forget that just two weeks ago Trump’s beloved supporters organized a literal coup d’etat when they infiltrated Capitol grounds.

So, while we’re all happy to whip out the champagne and jam out to Gaga tonight, it might be a good idea to keep a watchful eye on DC happenings, as well. Or, just keep an eye on Rowdy. We’ll be your tour guides through the madness.

Here’s what to expect for today:

10:30 a.m. — The Inaugural Ceremonies

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in on the West front of the US Capitol Building, officially ending Trump’s reign.
As his first order of business, Biden will then deliver his inaugural address in which he is said to explain his strategies to finally end this pandemic and work towards mending the divisions that have plagued this country for so long

2 p.m. — Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery

President-elect Biden, first lady Dr. Biden, Vice President-elect Harris and second gentleman Emhoff will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They will be joined by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton. (Notice who they will not be joined by.)

3 p.m. — Presidential Escort

President-elect Biden will be escorted from 15th Street to his old home, the White House. He will be joined by every branch of the military.
Following the escort, a “Parade Across America” featuring performances shot from around the country will be televised.

8:30 p.m. — Celebrating America Primetime Special

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Inauguration will be having a 90-minute primetime special instead of its typical inaugural ball. Tom Hanks will be hosting the event with an interesting mix of rag tag friends including: Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, and Kerry Washington. Oh and Biden and Kamala will share some remarks, as well.

What's the latest:

Update at 9:31 p.m.

Joe Biden Speaks

Once again, Joe Biden said the presidency isn’t about him, reiterating his earlier claim that he represents a cause. This much is obvious in his base, if you can call it that, who did not raise his name. Instead, they uplifted ideals.

Tonight, “we” echoes on his speaker, which seems to be his rallying cry. His effort to unite the torn country begins by calling citizens “good” too, an antithesis to the swearing and shaming from Trump.

His speech this time was a few minutes, not 20. But his message was the same.

By Katie Delk

What's the latest:

Update at 9:02 p.m.

Celebrating America Special — Sweet or Cheesy?

It hasn’t even been 24 hours since Biden has become president, and he’s already putting in the work to heal divisions. And who better to do that with Tom Hanks as host!! (It’s as if we’ve come full circle from us realizing that covid is serious when Hanks tested positive… Is this our sign that shit might actually get better? That Rowdy might actually get some sleep??)

Instead of the usual Inaugural Ball, this year’s inauguration is having a “Celebrating America” Primetime Special in lieu of COVID-19 restrictions.

Through the night, we’ll hear from President Joe Biden, feels so good to say, and Vice President Kamala Harris again.

Right now though, the show feels like a show - sweet, but also, strangely scripted? But I will say, it’s nice to see diverse faces on the screen.

By Lauren Rousseau and Katie Delk

What's the latest:

Update at 5:38 p.m.

Biden Signs 15 Executive Actions To Undo Trump's Mistakes

President Biden is an ambitious little fellow, signing over a dozen executive orders in his first few hours in the peoples' house.

His first three in office? A national mask mandate, a step towards a more sustainable future and a call to struggling college students.

With the stroke of a pen, these orders carry the weight of legislation– but it’s up to Congress to ensure they don’t fade out with overriding bills. Now that wearing a mask is a mandatory law, we’re hoping the Karens of the world don’t short circuit and have a mental breakdown.

Or… maybe… just maybe… that may be a good thing.

We’re also rejoining the Paris Climate Accord, a huge gift to environmental activists everywhere. Miss Greta is having a great day, I’m sure. It’ll take at least 30 days to go into effect.

He’s also canceling the Keystone Pipeline, pausing student loan debt collection, restoring DACA, stopping the Mexican-American southern border wall, eliminating the Muslim travel ban, among others.

Biden also called the letter Trump wrote “generous,” but sorry to say folks– we won’t be hearing about the contents of the letter anytime soon. Joe doesn’t overthrow a quasi-facist dictator and tell. <3

By Ana Escalante

Update at 5:31 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell enters his Flop Era

We’ve said it before and our social media director will tweet it again, Mitch McConnel is so ugly.

Thankfully, we don’t have to see his face as often for that much longer.

After Vice President Harris swore in three new Senators, two being from the Georgia run-off earlier this month, both houses of Congress are now officially in control of the Democratic Party.

The new Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer from New York, echoed McConnel’s calls for “unity” and “peace,” which, if you know us, we’ll have a lot to say on that. Later. Today is for celebration.

Here’s to hoping Chuck wears a Telfar à la AOC on his way to work. A fashion girl can dream.

By Ana Escalante

Update at 5:17 p.m.

Joe And Jill Went Up the Hill While Trump Heads For The Water

Raise your right hand if you’ve seen more than three “we did it Joe” posts from social media today. Great, we know you have so now close your hand. Open it. Do it two more times, fast, and join us in waving former (ahhh!) President Donald Trump goodbye.

This afternoon President (AHHH!) Joe Biden was joined by Vice President (you get it, we’re screaming) Kamala Harris at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

There, POTUS and Madame Vice President were joined by their significant others: first lady Dr. Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Also in attendance were former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and most importantly, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, who gave us berry tones and best-dressed realness.

President Biden and VP Harris have since been given a presidential escort to the White House by the military. During the procession, President Biden and family exited his vehicle to greet well wishers. He then walked the rest of the way into the White House reminding us of his walk (then a jog, then a walk again) at the Chase Center in Delaware for his victory speech; proving he’s not only fit to lead but fit period. Someone run Peloton a cheque.

Notably missing from the day’s events is former President Donald Trump who instead flew to Florida on Jan. 20th. He chose not to attend the Presidential Inauguration in Washington DC. This is the first time since 1868 that an outgoing president has skipped their successor’s inauguration. He is the fourth outgoing president to make this choice.

Trump was greeted by hundreds of supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to some sources, Trump will spend his “retirement” at his Florida resort, Mar-A-Largo.

By Alazne Cameron

Update at 12:34 p.m.

Gen Z Reacts : Thank God This Shit Is Over.

While social media cheers on the new administration (and the looks provided from it,) America’s youth looks towards the future.

Amanda Gorman, the inaugural poet, is 22 years old. She speaks as a Black woman, raised by a single mother. Calling diversity beautiful, she carries the ancestry of the Black women before her in her piece, "The Hill We Climb." Women who were silenced, who were treated as the lowest. Now, behind the highest pedestal in the country, she represents the resilience of the people who could never be extinguished.

Ending her speech, she says “There is always light if we are brave enough to see it. There is always light if we are brave enough to be it.”

Her own light shines bright. She's a testament to the massive breath of relief we've taken, while knowing there's much more work to be done. It doesn't stop here. It will never stop here. But with love, we'll somehow make it through.

By Katie Delk and Ana Escalante

Updated at 12:18 p.m.

President Biden Makes His Inaugural Speech

“This is America’s Day,” President Biden says. Simple words, but why am I so emotional.

Just moments after being sworn in as President (and seemingly almost sheds a tear, ugh my heart), Biden celebrates this win for Democracy.

In a contrast to his predecessor’s “Make American Great Again,” Biden says instead: “American has to be better than this.”

Finally, he mourns the country’s deaths, and he vows to be honest.

In his speech, he nods to Martin Luther King, to the woman who fought for the right to vote and his new VP who broke history as the first female in office.

Biden stands not as a candidate, but as a symbol of change. In contrast to Trump, he acknowledged his role as a president of both parties, a unit for unity.

It matters not what you’ve done but what you do with what you’ve done for others.

By Lauren Rousseau and Katie Delk

Updated at 12:05 p.m.

J.Lo Works Hard But Her PR Manager Works Harder

Jennifer Lopez, serving elevated Founding Father vibes in a chic all-white Chanel ensemble complete with a ruffled neck, killed her mashup of This Land Is Your Land and America The Beautiful. Towards the middle, she, in a very unifying manner, said the last line of our Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish. Her performance wasn’t complete without a few lines from her own hit Let’s Get Loud, of

course.

The only person who could slay more is Raini Rodriguez. Duh.

By Madison Rosenfield

Updated at 11:50 a.m.

Joe Biden Officially Becomes President

Joe Biden has officially been sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. We did it, Joe!

Senator Kamala Harris has also been sworn in as the Vice President of the United States. She has broken history as the first South Asian, Black and female Vice President. And even better — she was sworn in by Sonia Sottomayor, the first Hispanic and Latinx Supreme Court Justice of the United States.

Ugh, the female energy in the room is immaculate.

By Lauren Rousseau

Updated at 11:39 a.m.

The Congressional Coup Earlier This Month Seems To Be On Everyone’s Minds

In a speech at the Inauguration, Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks on the terror that occured in Congress just two weeks ago, the same terror she was likely trapped in herself. It makes your wonder what whispers are getting passed between all the Congresmen today.

But she also speaks of the resiliency of America. “Its grit,” she said. Let’s hope the days following today are further proof of that.

By Lauren Rousseau

Updated at 11:22 a.m.

Former Presidents Have Made An Entrance — And They Looked Good While Doing It

Presidents of the past have made their way through Congressional halls to celebrate Trump’s departure Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Of course, the Trump’s are nowhere to be seen but Mike Pence and his wife chose the Inauguration over Trump’s send-off. Yikes.

The color theme of the day appeared to be rich, berry colors so you can catch me adding these colors to my shopping carts.

Former president Bill Clinton arrived with former Secretary Hilary Clinton, who sported a vibrant purple suit with a ruffled collar.

What else could we have expected from the Obama’s, strutting in confidently because they know they’re back home. But let’s be honest, we were all looking at Michelle.

The former first lady wore a burgundy-hued wide-legged jumpsuit by Sergio Hudson, a young Black designer. A matching coat trailed behind her like the red carpet we all know she deserves. And her hair!! Beautifully voluminous curls, our girl came to slay.

Can we please make a moodboard dedicated to Biden’s granddaughter's outfits? As the first grandkids walk out, we all can’t help but envy their coordinated, pastel outfits that look straight out of a Pinterest Board. Napoleon ice cream found DEAD!

Biden’s grandkids, namely his granddaughter, Natalie, has recently blown up on TikTok for her trendy and fashionable outfits during appearances and interviews. Watching this inauguration, it's safe to say that she did it again — this time showing up and out in an all pastel pink dress, coat, and scarf that will leave Fashion Tiktok talking for months.

By Livv Haut and Lauren Rousseau

Updated at 10:25 A.M

Good Morning. Are we done yet? Not Quite.

Hello friends. It's January 20th, 2021.

The day some of us have been waiting for since Donald. J. Trump was elected as the 45th President of the United States.

There's a lot to say about the past four years. We've covered it. Extensively.

But now, along with all of you, we at Rowdy are excited to somewhat begin a new chapter filled with hope, reckoning and Chromatica Oreos. Mother Monster is singing the national anthem. Get excited! I know I am.

Over the next three days, the team at Rowdy is working hard at providing round-the-clock coverage for today's inauguration. This isn't our first rodeo at the live political circus, to sit back, relax, and enjoy the memes to come.

Just woke up from a Tuesday late-night bender and missed the morning? No worries. Here's what you may have missed.

JOE AND KAMALA ATTENDED A CEREMONY HONORING THOSE FALLEN TO COVID

Last night, the President-elect and Vice President-elect stood in silence, remembering the 400,000+ Americans who have died due to COVID-19. Thousands of flags are planted on the National Mall, which you're sure to catch a glimpse of during today's inauguration ceremony livestream.

Veep Harris also wore a Pyer Moss overcoat, which this fashion-obsessed Editor-in-Chief is very proud of (and will not stop telling people that she called it two days prior.) Bestie Vibes Only!

TRUMP GIVES HIS LAST SPEECH AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

The man is still petty AF and instead of meeting Joe and Dr. Jill Biden, Trump is skipping the inauguration to give one final speech before departing to Florida. Yipee.

Trump released a recorded goodbye message last night, but gave one final farewell speech earlier this morning at Joint Base Andrews. The speech, although riddled with classic Trump-isms like lying about ratings and subtle shade to the Democrats, ambiguously called for unity and peace for the next ambition.

The president also said he would be back in some fashion... which.... yeah.

10:30 A.M. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE

The official livestream is set to begin just past 10 a.m., with Biden and Harris sworn in around noon. Congratulatory messages and celebrity guests are beginning to arrive on the steps of the Capitol building. Earlier today, former President Barack Obama sent out a sweet bromance tweet. Even though you're a massive war criminal, I still miss you, Zaddy.

By Ana Escalante

Alazne Cameron, Ana Escalante, Katie Delk, Lauren Rousseau, Livv Haut, Madison Rosenfield and Lauren Rousseau all contributed to this report.