When Donald Trump moved his second inaugural indoors, it was a two-for-one joke. One, the bigly macho man was scared of some chilly weather. Two, everyone knew that if the inaugural had gone ahead outdoors, the crowd would have been sparse and sad, and Trump would have looked like a giant loser. So he forced everyone into the Capitol Rotunda for the inauguration and he still managed to get a pathetic crowd size, this time in television viewership.
President Donald Trump’s inauguration numbers are in, and the notoriously ratings-obsessed president isn’t going to be happy. Early figures suggest that Monday’s proceedings, which were moved indoors due to frigid weather, took hefty dive—more than a third, according to Nielsen figures—in comparison to Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration.
Nielsen found that ratings across ABC, CBS and NBC’s coverage of Trump’s swearing in as 47th president on Monday hovered around 26.05 million viewers on average from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m (ET), reported The Hollywood Reporter. According to Nielsen’s ratings, viewership for the two previous inaugurations—which includes Trump’s first term—fared much better. About 32 percent, to be exact.
Around 39.87 million people tuned in to watch Biden take the oath of office in 2021. A hair behind Biden, Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 pulled in an average 38.35 million viewers. However, THR reported that viewership then was measured from 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (ET).
In terms of where audiences tuned in to watch the presidential fanfare, Fox News overwhelming held the most viewership. During the 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. window, Fox peaked at around 10.59 million viewers, just behind its coverage for Trump’s first swearing in.
Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all had significantly fewer viewers for their second entries into the White House, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
As I said before, I didn’t watch either of Trump’s inaugurals. I only watched the Carrie Underwood video and I looked through the photos, which is when I was surprised to see that Trump couldn’t manage to put his tiny hand on the bible for his oath of office. What’s up with MAGAville though? Why aren’t they celebrating? Why didn’t they tune in to watch this sh-thead? Why does it feel like, post-election, the people who voted for the Leopards-Eating-Faces Party are actually really mad?
Photos courtesy of Cover Images.
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From left, Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai arrive before the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States takes place inside the Capitol Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Monday, January 20, 2025. It is the 60th U.S. presidential inauguration and the second non-consecutive inauguration of Trump as U.S. president
Featuring: Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos
Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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president-elect Donald Trump departs the North Portico of the White House on the morning of his inauguration in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2025. Trump, who defeated Kamala Harris to become the 47th president of the United States, is being sworn in today, though the planned outdoor ceremonies and events have been cancelled due to extreme cold temperatures.
Featuring: Donald Trump
Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington
Where: Washington, District Of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office as Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump look on during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States
Featuring: Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump
Where: Washington, District Of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Melania Trump embrace after he took oath on the day of his Presidential Inauguration at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S.
Featuring: Donald Trump, Melania Trump
Where: Washington, District Of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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US President-elect Donald Trump kisses Melania Trump as he arrives for the inauguration ceremony before he is sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC
Featuring: Donald Trump, Melania Trump
Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com**12345678**
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Melania Trump attends the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States
Featuring: Melania Trump
Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets Melania Trump as he arrives for inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States
Featuring: Donald Trump, Melania Trump
Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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Barron Trump (L) and First Lady Melanie Trump (R) listen as US President Donald Trump delivers remarks after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in an inauguration ceremony in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2025. Trump’s planned outdoor inauguration ceremonies and events are being held inside today due to a forecast of extreme cold temperatures.
Featuring: Barron Trump, First Lady Melanie Trump
Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
When: 20 Jan 2025
Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com

