Donald Trump was sworn in for a historic second term as President of the United States on Monday, pledging to issue a flurry of immediate executive orders on immigration and cultural issues. This marks an extraordinary comeback for the controversial leader.

With one hand raised and the other on a Bible gifted to him by his mother, Trump took the oath of office under the grand Rotunda of the US Capitol. The ceremony, held indoors for the first time in decades due to extreme weather, saw the outgoing Democratic President, Joe Biden, accompany Trump to the Capitol by motorcade.

Earlier, the Bidens hosted the Trumps at the White House for the traditional tea, where Biden greeted Trump with, “Welcome home.” This marked a stark contrast to 2021, when Trump refused to attend Biden’s inauguration after alleging electoral fraud. Biden’s participation in this event aimed to restore a sense of tradition.

The ceremony was attended by former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. However, Michelle Obama notably abstained, while Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were present. Trump, now 78, stood as a political veteran, surrounded by America’s elite. Notable attendees included Elon Musk, who funded Trump’s campaign with $250 million, and other industry leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai.

Foreign leaders, typically absent from inaugurations, also attended. Among them were Argentina’s far-right President Javier Milei and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Behind the pageantry, Trump signalled a hard-right agenda. He plans to issue around 100 executive orders to dismantle Biden’s policies. Key measures include declaring a national emergency at the Mexico border, assigning the military a significant role in border security, and ending birthright citizenship.