Trump Hosts Victory Rally with Supporters Ahead of Inauguration

WASHINGTON—President-elect Donald Trump addressed supporters at a rally on Sunday, just before Inauguration Day, held at the Capitol One Arena in downtown Washington.

During the “Make America Great Again” victory rally, Trump shared a glimpse of the measures he plans to implement once he is inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20.

“We won,” Trump declared prior to commencing his speech.

“Tomorrow at noon, we shut the door on four long years of American decline, and we initiate a new era of American strength, prosperity, dignity, and pride,” he told the crowd of supporters.

“This represents the most significant political movement in American history.”

Throughout his hour-long address, Trump mentioned that he would be signing numerous executive orders, which would include the “most aggressive, sweeping efforts” to secure the nation’s borders.

“We will initiate the most extensive deportation campaign in American history,” he asserted, noting it would surpass the efforts of President Dwight Eisenhower.

“By sunset tomorrow, the influx at our borders will cease entirely.”

He added that through these actions, “my administration will provide justice for every family whose loved one has been taken by migrant crime,” referencing specific victims murdered by illegal immigrants.

“And tomorrow, everyone in this large arena will be very pleased with my announcement regarding the Jan. 6 prisoners,” Trump remarked without elaborating on his plans for those convicted due to the January 6, 2021 events.

Trump also discussed his strategy for the social media platform TikTok.

Previously, he had stated his intention to sign an executive order delaying the federal ban on the application. In return, TikTok announced it had reinstated access within the United States.

“As of today, TikTok is back,” Trump proclaimed at the rally.

He suggested that ownership be shifted to a joint venture, with the United States possessing 50 percent of the company.

Consistent with his campaign commitments, Trump also announced that his administration would unfurl the remaining documents connected to the murders of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the upcoming days.

Both Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn in at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. The 60th Presidential Inauguration ceremony is set to occur inside the Capitol Rotunda due to an extremely cold forecast, with temperatures anticipated to plummet to 10 degrees.

What would typically be a quiet Sunday in downtown Washington turned into a vibrant gathering, as Trump supporters from around the nation converged on the capital for four days of festivities. Despite the cold, rainy, and occasionally snowy weather—temperatures hovering just above freezing—many lined up early in anticipation of entering the Capitol One Arena, home to both the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards.

The rally coincided with a highly newsworthy day, which included reports from Gaza regarding the release of the first three hostages under the initial phase of a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.

During his address, Trump praised his Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as a “great negotiator.”

“Our incoming administration has accomplished all of this in the Middle East in under three months without being in office,” he stated.

From the stage, Witkoff noted that Trump’s involvement in securing the Gaza peace deal and hostage release was pivotal.

“The president was instrumental in this release, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for all families involved,” he informed the audience.

Trump also emphasized his new endeavor, the nongovernmental advisory body known as the Department of Government Efficiency, and welcomed tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, a prominent figure in this initiative, to join him on stage.

Musk briefly appeared with his 4-year-old son, X.

“We look forward to enacting many changes,” Musk said. “This victory is merely the beginning.”

Trump expressed his appreciation to Musk for his support during the campaign, particularly regarding the swing state of Pennsylvania.

The incoming president confirmed his plans to visit California on Friday to evaluate the damage inflicted by recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

“Together, we will restore Los Angeles, making it better and more beautiful than ever,” he stated.

Sunday’s rally featured performances by Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood, and The Village People.

Trump also committed to dismantling President Joe Biden’s executive orders “within hours” of taking office on Monday, with a particular focus on initiatives concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“Oh, you’re going to enjoy watching the television tomorrow,” he teased his supporters.

Speakers at the rally included several members of the Trump family, Girls Gone Bible, actor Jon Voight, Trump’s designated Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller, independent journalist Megyn Kelly, and UFC President and CEO Dana White.

Trump’s son Eric, along with his wife Lara and their two children, took to the stage. A touching moment occurred when the two children recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Numerous inaugural balls occurred throughout Washington, D.C. over the weekend. One notable event, the Official Hispanic Inaugural Ball, was held Saturday at the Omni Shoreham Hotel and was attended by guests including President Javier Milei of Argentina, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Donald Trump Jr.

Evelyn Nunez Jones, one of the fundraisers for the Inaugural Committee and an organizer of the Hispanic Inaugural Ball, expressed her sentiments.

“I feel relief and gratitude knowing we are entering a new era,” Jones stated to The Epoch Times before the rally.

She believes that parental rights played a significant role in Trump’s election victory.

“The Hispanic community strongly values family, and parental rights have significantly influenced people’s party preferences,” she noted, referencing the growing support for Trump among Hispanic voters.

Trump’s rally attracted not only attendees from across the U.S. but also international supporters, including Suella Braverman, a conservative member of the UK Parliament and former home secretary.

“This is a decisive moment for not just American history, but for the West and indeed, the world,” Braverman remarked to The Epoch Times.

“I’m extremely grateful for Trump’s agenda in America that promotes strong borders, pro-business, job creation, and prosperity policies, as well as a return to common sense,” she added. “These are elements we desperately need in the United Kingdom.”

Jacob Burg and Jackson Richman contributed to this report.