The 2025 presidential inauguration will be remembered for what was said without being heard. During the traditional White House meeting between incoming and outgoing presidents, Donald Trump appeared to deliver a sharp two-word comment to Joe Biden that professional lip readers later identified. This fleeting moment captured the underlying tension of the transition as Trump prepared to be sworn in for his second term on January 20.
The ceremonial gathering between the Bidens and Trumps came after a tumultuous election season marked by questions about Biden’s health and stamina. These concerns ultimately led to the president’s July withdrawal from the race, stating he wanted to “do what’s best for both the Democratic party and America,” while endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement.
Trump’s substantial electoral college victory (312 votes) enabled swift policy changes upon taking office. The new president immediately began signing executive orders to reverse Biden administration policies. His most headline-grabbing early action involved granting pardons or sentence reductions to more than 1,500 people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol events, as reported by the BBC.
