What to expect from Australians attending Donald Trump's inauguration

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Donald Trump will be sworn in as president of the United States on Monday in Washington DC, which will be early Tuesday morning for Australian viewers.

Inauguration day will feature a formal swearing-in ceremony, a celebratory parade, and several formal balls.

Among those invited are world leaders, celebrities, and prominent Australians.

Here’s what to expect.

What’s the presidential inauguration?

It’s the formal ceremony that marks the end of one president’s term and the beginning of their successor’s administration.

A key part of the ceremony involves the president-elect reciting the oath of office. Alongside Trump, JD Vance will also take an oath before formally assuming the vice presidency.

Trump’s second inauguration day will begin with a service at the historic St John’s Church, followed by tea at the White House.

The main event will open with musical performances and remarks, followed by Trump and Vance’s swearing-in and the president’s inaugural address.

The Joint Congressional Committee that administers the swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol grounds said it will be releasing more than 220,000 tickets for the event.

Afterwards, Trump will sign key documents, attend a lunch, and participate in a ceremonial parade.

The day will end with three inaugural balls.

Who’s on the guest list?

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, have confirmed their attendance.

Among other Australians on the guest list include mining magnate Gina Rinehart, businessman Anthony Pratt, and PR strategist James Radford, according to Sky News.

A number of world leaders and Trump supporters are also expected to attend, according to Reuters.

This includes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, Hungarian President Viktor Orbán and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending, despite an invitation, but is sending an envoy.

Billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are expected to have prominent seats at the ceremony.

A four-day celebration

Over the weekend and on Monday, at least 18 inaugural galas are set to take place across Washington, including three official events that Trump is expected to attend.

Carrie Underwood, The Village People, and Rascal Flatts are slated to perform at the inauguration celebrations.

Carrie Underwood holds a mic in one hand and raises her other arm as she sings on stage in front of a band.

The swearing-in ceremony on Monday will feature country music superstar Carrie Underwood singing “America the Beautiful”. Credit: Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

On Sunday, the night before the inauguration, Trump will hold a campaign-style ‘Make America Great Again Victory Rally’ at a downtown Washington arena.

On Monday, Zuckerberg will co-host a reception for billionaire Republican donors, joined by casino mogul Miriam Adelson and Houston Rockets basketball team owner Tilman Fertitta, whom Trump has nominated as ambassador to Italy.

Meanwhile, oil and gas magnate Harold Hamm, a prominent Trump supporter, will host an inauguration watch party on the rooftop of the historic Hay-Adams Hotel, located near the White House.

The official inaugural activities will conclude on Tuesday with a national prayer service.

Who pays for the inauguration?

The official events are financed by Trump’s inauguration committee which is responsible for covering the costs of everything but the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, which is borne by taxpayers.

Trump raised a record US$106.7 million ($172 million) for his 2017 inauguration festivities. His committee has raised more than US$170 million ($275 million) this time, according to local media.