How News Media Has Changed Inauguration Coverage

President-elect Donald Trump will be formally sworn in today, becoming the 47th president of the United States. The ceremony comes eight years after he was sworn in for his first term and makes Trump only the second US president to serve nonconsecutive terms alongside Grover Cleveland (1885-89, 1893-97). Former Ohio Sen. JD Vance will become the third-youngest vice president in history at 40 years old.

President-elect Donald Trump will call for a “revolution of common sense” during his inaugural address, according to prepared remarks, as he caps a historic comeback and embarks on an agenda that includes mass deportations, steep tariffs and slashing the size of the federal government.

 The event—typically held on the US Capitol's West Front, overlooking the National Mall—will be moved inside to the building's rotunda as a polar vortex brings plunging temperatures to most of the country. It marks the first time the ceremony has been held indoors since Ronald Reagan's second term in 1985.

All four living presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden—are expected to attend.

'Special Report' host Bret Baier looks back on the evolution of media technology in covering inaugurations dating back to George Washington.

WATCH: “This is history, real time” — Fox’s @BretBaier on how media coverage of presidential inaugurations has changed over the decades pic.twitter.com/PBu9H8fZqf

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) January 20, 2025

FOX News Media will present extensive, multiplatform live programming for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance,

On Inauguration Day, (January 20) FNC’s live Washington-based programming will kick off with FOX & Friends, America’s Newsroom and The Faulkner Focus followed by Inauguration of Donald Trump, from 11:30 AM-5 PM/ET. Chief political anchor Special Report’s Bret Baier and anchor and executive editor of The Story Martha MacCallum will helm the special as the 47th president and vice president of the United States are sworn into office. FNC’s Dana Perino, chief political analyst Brit Hume, The Five’s Harold Ford Jr., and anchors Harris Faulkner, Bill Hemmer and Sandra Smith will contribute to the network’s coverage. Additionally, Outnumbered co-host Kayleigh McEnany, The Five’s Jessica Tarlov, Sunday Night in America’s Trey Gowdy and FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Charlie Hurt as well as FNC contributors Karl Rove, Kellyanne Conway, Ben Domenech and Marc Thiessen will break down the developments throughout the day.

Beginning at 7 PM/ET, FNC’s entire primetime lineup will broadcast live from Washington kicking off with The Ingraham Angle (7-8 PM/ET) and Jesse Watters Primetime (8-9 PM/ET) at the Commander in Chief Ball  followed by Hannity at 9 PM/ET live from the Liberty Inaugural Ball. At 10 PM/ET, FNC’s late-night show Gutfeld! will broadcast live from Washington’s DAR Constitution Hall in front of a studio audience followed by FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher from the network’s Washington bureau at 11 PM/ET.