The inauguration ceremony for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has been temporarily moved to the Capitol Rotunda, where staff are working hard to set up.
Folding chairs have been arranged, but availability is scarce, making it difficult for Trump's backers to obtain tickets, prompting urgent calls to his team for assistance.
Originally, the ceremony was set to accommodate over 220,000 attendees on the West Front of the Capitol, but Trump announced last Friday (Jan. 17) that due to an Arctic cold front, temperatures on inauguration day could drop to -6 or -7 degrees Celsius. Consequently, he decided to relocate the event indoors to the Rotunda. Trump stated that all guests would be able to attend, but a spokesperson from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies indicated that seating in the Rotunda would only allow for about 600 people.
Earlier this month, the committee informed potential donors that tickets for the inauguration and related events were fully booked. However, many donors still contributed US$1 million to secure spots on the VIP waiting list or opted to donate without seeking tickets. Following the venue change, securing entry has become even more challenging. Reports indicate that Trump's team received calls from supporters last Friday (Jan. 17) requesting arrangements to access the Rotunda. Some on the waiting list opted not to attend due to the limited availability.
The organizers have yet to announce the list of confirmed attendees, which may include foreign dignitaries, former U.S. presidents, tech and business leaders, cabinet officials, and federal lawmakers.
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