At the end of it all, Donald Trump melted away into the limelight, admitting that he had lost the race. It took a bit of persuasion, threat and cajoling for the doughty street fighter that Trump is known for. Then stepped in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, in a ceremony that was a pale comparison to the rock show like swearing ceremonies of the past. Here are some of the sidelights about who sang what and who wore what.
There are plenty of religious stuff for the only 2nd catholic President in US history, with Rev Father Leo Jeremiah delivering the invocation. Then, Lady Gaga sang the US National Anthem ‘Star Spangled Banner’ on a golden microphone in the way she knows best – with flamboyance, fashion, and passion. The large gold dove brooch complimented her golden microphone, however, it has a deeper meaning. The seal of the United States depicts an eagle with an olive branch clutched in its right talon, which is a symbol of the power of peace that Congress wields. The dove, on the other hand, is an everlasting symbol of peace.
Jennifer Lopez sang the Land is Your Land, and is said to have woken people and pets who had taken a snooze watching the ceremony, online. Rev Silvester Beaman gave the benediction and once the swearing in was done, Garth Brooks sang a gospel-tinged ‘Amazing Grace’. He even asked the audience to sing along with him – “Not just the people here, but the people at home, to work as one united”.
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris along with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, put America first with their dresses. Biden wore a custom-made navy suit and overcoat by Ralph Lauren; for the past four decades while Jill Biden wore a vibrant tweed blue coat, matching dress and a silk face mask in the same ocean hue by emerging American designer Alexandra O’Neill of Markarian. Kamala Harris making history as the first woman to serve as Vice President, her fashion also made a statement. Harris selected designer Christopher John Rogers, the young, Black designer.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former First Lady Michelle Obama also sported the red and blue mixture, the resulting purple symbolizing a spirit of bipartisanship. Harris then stepped out in heels by Sergio Hudson, also a young Black designer, who is from South Carolina.
The ceremony ended with a lavish fireworks show in the Washington night sky, watched by Bidens at the White House and Harris and her husband at the Lincoln Memorial.
