The pomp and pageantry of U.S. presidential inaugurations have always been about more than just swearing in the next commander-in-chief. It’s a national spectacle—part tradition, part political theater, and, increasingly, a high-tech production showcasing just how far we’ve come as a society.
And with Donald Trump’s potential second inauguration looming, it’s worth pausing to appreciate how these events have evolved from humble beginnings to the media juggernauts they are today. From dusty parchment to TikTok clips, the journey has been nothing short of fascinating—and, yes, occasionally ridiculous.
When George Washington kicked things off in 1789, the man might as well have been talking to a room of ghosts for all the visibility his speech got. There was no live coverage, no cheering throngs glued to their devices. His inaugural address wasn’t even published until days later. Slow doesn’t even begin to describe it, but hey, it was the 18th century—people still thought leeches were medicine.
Thomas Jefferson, the consummate innovator, saw his speech published in newspapers the same day he delivered it, which probably felt revolutionary at the time. Imagine if the Founding Fathers could’ve seen what was coming—telegraphs, photography, and, eventually, the relentless snark of Twitter threads dissecting every word.
By the mid-19th century, things picked up speed. James Polk’s inauguration in 1845 benefited from the telegraph, allowing people across the country to get updates faster than the Pony Express. A decade later, James Buchanan brought photography into the mix, giving the country its first real glimpse of an inauguration.
Now, imagine Buchanan scrolling Instagram if he were alive today—awkward handshakes and all. The 1900s were when things really started to pop off, with William McKinley’s ceremony being captured on silent film in 1901. Sure, there was no audio, but progress is progress.
Enter the roaring 1920s, when things got louder—literally. Warren Harding used loudspeakers in 1921 so people in the back could hear him (take notes, everyone who’s ever fumbled with a microphone). Calvin Coolidge took it a step further in 1925 by broadcasting his speech over the radio, hitting an audience of 23 million. Suddenly, people could experience the big day from the comfort of their homes, probably while avoiding awkward conversations with relatives who showed up uninvited.
Then came television, and everything changed. Harry Truman’s 1949 inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on TV, officially giving Americans their front-row seats to history without having to leave their couches. Fast forward to 1961, and John F. Kennedy turned it into an art form with his iconic call to action, broadcast in color, no less. That line—“Ask not what your country can do for you…”—cemented JFK as the king of the soundbite long before memes existed.
But it’s the digital age that really turned inaugurations into a 24/7 spectacle. Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997 was the first to be live-streamed online, back when the internet was still dial-up and loading a webpage took longer than Washington’s inaugural delivery.
Then came Barack Obama’s social-media-fueled inaugurations, complete with millions of tweets and Facebook posts. By the time Joe Biden’s pandemic-era inauguration rolled around, the event was practically unrecognizable: virtual parades, livestreams, and a whole lot of Zoom-like energy.
So, here we are at Trump’s inauguration. Love it or hate it, inaugurations are no longer just about the president—they’re about the spectacle. From Washington’s quill to Trump’s tweets, these events reflect not just the presidency but the relentless evolution of American culture itself. And, like it or not, you’re along for the ride.
AMERICA IS BACK. 🇺🇸
Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America. pic.twitter.com/cCuSV8Q44Z
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) January 20, 2025