President-elect Donald Trump has taken to the stage at his “Make America Great Again victory rally”, just hours ahead of his inauguration.
“We won,” Mr Trump said to deafening cheers from the Republican crowd.
“What a good feeling, we love winning.
“I’m thrilled to be back with so many friends, supporters and true American patriots on the eve of taking back our country. That’s what we are going to do, take back our country.
“Tomorrow at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of decline and we begin a brand new day of American strength prosperity, dignity and pride.”
More to come from Donald Trump’s speech.
Thousands of supporters packed the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. on Sunday, dancing as musician Kid Rock performed as Republicans waited for Mr Trump.
Speaking before the president-elect’s arrival, Steve Witkoff, a New York property tycoon and Mr Trump’s Middle East envoy who has been instrumental in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations, said: “I just received on my phone pictures of the first three hostages that have been released.”
The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting “USA” as Mr Witkoff appeared emotional sharing the news.
“We had a great team but it doesn’t happen without Donald J. Trump.
“The president was response for this release and we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
The rally resemble the free-wheeling speaking events that have become a Republican staple since Mr Trump’s first White House campaign in 2016.
The event marked his first major address in Washington since he delivered a speech on Jan. 6, 2021, to his supporters that preceded the storming of the US Capitol.
Stephen Miller, a top adviser to Mr Trump, told the audience that Mr Trump would issue an executive order on Monday “ending the border invasion, sending the illegals home and taking America back,” drawing cheers.
Ahead of the rally, his fans, many dressed in Mr Trump’s trademark red jackets and MAGA hats, waited in a cold, driving rain along several downtown Washington blocks, some chanting “USA! USA!”
Val Tordjman, 58, had travelled across the country from Denver with tickets to watch the inauguration. When he heard the ceremony was being moved inside, notably cutting the size of the in-person audience, he said, “I felt like crying.”
Mr Tordjman said he planned to spend the night on the street next to the arena, despite temperatures forecast to plunge to around 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius). He said he had yet to see Mr Trump in person.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said.
Large swaths of the streets around the US Capitol and White House have been blocked off by steel fences since last week, and police were visible throughout the city.
More to come…
– With Reuters