President Donald J. Trump announced that his inauguration speech shattered viewership records, becoming the most-watched event in American political history. “This is a historic moment,” Trump declared. “More people watched me than any other president in history. They said it couldn’t be done, but we proved them wrong.”
The News section of YouTube reported 9.6 million views for the speech, while an additional 36.7 million tuned in through Trump’s social media platform, X. Combined with traditional TV broadcasts, the total audience reached an astounding 80.7 million—surpassing the previous record of 42 million held by Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inauguration. Trump touted the milestone, stating, “This is proof that people are listening. America is ready to win again.”
Trump’s online report of his second inauguration did not take into consideration mainstream media reports that approximately 24.6 million people across 15 major networks, according to Nielsen. Viewership peaked at 34.4 million during the 12:15 PM quarter-hour, with Fox News leading the ratings at over 10 million viewers, followed by ABC (4.7 million), NBC (4.4 million), and CBS (4.1 million). CNN garnered 1.7 million viewers, and MSNBC saw a significant drop to 848,000 compared to 6.5 million in 2021.
This viewership marked a decline from prior inaugurations, including President Joe Biden’s in 2021 (33.8 million) and Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 (31 million). Held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to cold weather, the event included high-profile attendees like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. Following his oath, Trump delivered two speeches—one inside the Rotunda and a longer, unscripted address at another venue.
Notably, Trump’s September 2024 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris drew a much larger audience of 67 million viewers, surpassing the viewership of his debate with Biden in 2020.
Hours after his celebratory announcement, Trump’s administration faces mounting diplomatic tensions with Colombia over the deportation of migrants. Trump viciously announced a 25% tariff on Colombian goods entering the U.S., warning that the rate could climb to 50% within a week if the dispute remains unresolved. “We can’t allow other countries to take advantage of us anymore,” he said. “We’re standing up for American workers and security.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded forcefully, calling for dignity in the deportation process. “We will receive our fellow citizens on civilian planes, without treating them like criminals,” Petro asserted. In retaliation, Colombia has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on U.S. goods, escalating the trade standoff.
The fallout has rippled across Latin America, with countries like Brazil criticizing U.S. deportation policies and Mexico entering negotiations to avoid similar tariff threats. Brazilian officials condemned the “inhumane treatment” of deportees, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted the importance of diplomatic cooperation despite policy disagreements.
While Trump’s record-breaking speech highlights his influence, the escalating trade war with Colombia underscores the complex challenges of his administration’s policies. “This is just the beginning,” Trump warned. “We’re putting America first, and we’re not backing down.”
