Donald Trump will become the 45th U.S. president today

Donald Trump and his family wave to the crowd.
(Image credit: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

On Friday, Donald Trump will become the 45th president of the United States when he takes the oath of office and subsequently delivers his inaugural address at the West Front of the Capitol Building, beginning at 12 p.m. ET.

Trump's day begins much earlier, though, with a private family breakfast and prayer service, a coffee date with the Obamas, and his swearing-in ceremony, which starts at 11:30 a.m. ET.

There is some question as to what tone Trump will take when addressing the nation: Trump "showed in his Election Night remarks, when he promised to be a president for all Americans, that he is capable of striking more harmonious notes when the occasion demands it," Politico writes.

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The event is expected to draw thousands of supporters to D.C., even as dozens of major protests across the country have already begun.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.