Without the huge security presence and miles of barriers surrounding historic buildings, you could easily fail to realise ’s inauguration is just three days away.
Perhaps it’s the dampening effect of the snow-covered sidewalks and fields of central Washington, or the -10C weather keeping locals indoors, but there is a sense of quiet calm just days before a momentous historic moment.
However, speaking to the Express, Ronald Reagan’s former executive assistant Peggy Grande insisted this is merely the “quiet before the storm”.
On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Americans – both Trump supporters and protesters – will descend on the nation’s capital to watch the historic event.
The inauguration will now go down in modern history as one of the few to be moved indoors due to the sub-zero temperature expected on Monday.
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Christian Calgie says Washington DC feels surprisingly calm given Monday’s historic event (Image: Daily Express)
The indoor inauguration will be the first since 1985 when Ronald Regan was sworn in indoors after temperatures hit -14 Celsius.
Taking to his Truth Social social media platform, Mr Trump said he does not “want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way” by the cold.
He added that those still planning on coming should “dress warmly”.
While Mr Trump may be unhappy with the decision he’s had to take, things could always be worse – In 1841 President William Henry Harrison ended up catching hypothermia at his inauguration and died 32 days later.
While Ms Grande was right that DC feels like the calm before the storm, there is also a notably different atmosphere to eight years ago, when Mr Trump became America’s 45th president.
Gone is any sense that he won by a fluke. Unlike 2016, Mr Trump won the popular vote and the Electoral College. Nor is there the apprehension of the unknown as there was first time around.
Mr Trump’s operating style is now well known: big, brash, occasionally outlandish, but always gripping, entertaining and strong.
Even some Democrats have begrudgingly accepted that this week’s Middle East peace deal would not have got over the line without the president-elect’s promise of Hamas having “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released before his return to power.
Another key difference is ’s break with tradition, inviting a select few world leaders to the inauguration itself.
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If it wasn’t for the miles of security barriers you may not realise the inauguration is happening (Image: Daily Express)
Typically, his fellow premiers forego the main event and wait for one-on-one meetings in the following weeks and months.
Italy’s Georgia Meloni, Argentina’s Javier Milei, El Salvador president Nayib Bukele and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban are among those set to be in attendance on Monday.
The move sparked humiliation for those left off the invite list, not least . Instead, will be representing Britain on the world stage and in full view of the global media circus.
The Reform UK leader appears to have just as much of a buzz about him as himself, with one ally joking he’s now the “prettiest girl at the ball” as every media outlet tries to secure an interview with the insurgent Brit.
The inauguration isn’t confined to just one day of festivities but kicks off tomorrow with playing host to a fireworks display for lucky guests at his golf course in Virginia.
His deputy, JD Vance, is also hosting a reception and dinner for Mr Trump’s cabinet-to-be.
On Sunday the president-elect will lay a wreath at Arlington Cemetery, America’s largest cemetery established after the Civil War, before hosting a MAGA (Make America Great Again) victory rally at the Capitol One Arena – a sports stadium with a capacity of 20,000 and featuring a performance by the Village People.
No doubt those attending will be praying to see Mr Trump’s now-iconic fist-pumping dance moves.
The big day itself will be the moment America, the West and indeed the world changes for good, as Mr Trump returns triumphantly to the Oval Office.
He will begin the day with a church service before travelling to the grand Capitol building for his big speech, swearing on the Bible and making his first executive orders as president.
While the event is steeped in traditions even the British would be impressed by, the inauguration will also see performances by country stars Carrie Underwood and Billy Rae Cyrus – not something you’d see replicated at the State Opening of Parliament.
The newly installed president will then spend the evening flitting from ballroom to ballroom, delivering speeches at three: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball. As a committed teetotaler, Mr Trump will likely stick to his favourite cans of Diet Coke.
On Tuesday, he will sit down behind his old desk in the Oval Office and begin reshaping America – and the world – in his image.