SAUL LOEB / POOL / AFP
One of the biggest consequences of Donald Trump getting a sad, indoors inauguration due to the cold weather in Washington today is that space is extremely limited. The swearing-in ceremony is taking place in the Capitol Rotunda, which is only 7,000 square feet and can fit only around 750 people. Governors are being sent to the overflow room, along with congressional spouses. Yet they managed to find seats for some absolutely wild guests.
Here’s a look at the most bizarre second Trump inauguration attendees, including Trump political foes who were obligated to attend, and some folks you’d just never expect to see front row at a presidential inauguration.
Mike Pence (But Not Karen Pence)
Mike Pence did not endorse Donald Trump in 2024, probably because Trump was reportedly in favor of his supporters murdering him during the Capitol Riot. But Pence is still a former VP, so he showed up to Trump’s second inauguration (though Mother is clearly over it).
JUST IN: Former Vice President Mike Pence arrives at the inauguration pic.twitter.com/Eo7LQCf9dR
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 20, 2025
Dan Quayle and Marilyn Quayle
Hey, remember that time former vice president Dan Quayle encouraged Mike Pence not to participate in Trump’s attempted coup? Apparently Trump does not — or, as with Pence, he just couldn’t strike a former VP from the guest list.
Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo
Dana White
Things you don’t see at most inaugurations: CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship and new Meta board member Dana White yukking it up with major GOP donor Miriam Adelson.
Miriam adelson and Dana white vibing at the Inauguration was not on the bingo card for 2025 pic.twitter.com/VnPcFSPexz
— a_yonatan_m (@oneswholisten) January 20, 2025
Elon Musk
Yes, we knew Trump’s new BFF and head of the stupidly named, made-up government agency DOGE, would be front and center at the inauguration. But it’s still weird to see!
Photo: Shawn Thew/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Mark Zuckerberg
Similarly wild: this appearance by new MAGA man and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, along with his wife Priscilla Chan.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Tim Cook
“Tim Apple” looks thrilled to be there.
Photo: Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Sundar Pichai
The Google CEO is clearly relishing this opportunity to mingle with the likes of RFK Jr. and Pete Hegseth.
Here’s another shot of billionaire oligarchs Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Alphabet/Google CEO Sundar Pichai all standing together, in the middle of Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, at his inauguration.
It’s the perfect symbol of the US plutocracy. pic.twitter.com/gjjOp6w5vs
— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) January 20, 2025
Jeff Bezos and Laura Sánchez
Do you think Jeff Bezos, who attended with fiancée Lauren Sánchez, is annoyed to see all these other tech CEOs at the inauguration? He earned his ticket by spiking the Washington Post’s Kamala Harris and having Amazon do a $40 million Melania documentary, while these other guys just did some light kissing up.
Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew
This guy’s app is a massive national security threat that must be shut down immediately. But also, let’s invite him to the inauguration.
Photo: Shawn Thew/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
John Fetterman’s Shorts
The senator may be a little too committed to this bit.
Kevin Lamarque – Pool/Getty Images
