Celebrities have started descending on the Capitol for inauguration day celebrations with Lady Gaga calling ‘for a day of peace’, J-Lo posing with National Guard troops and Chrissy Teigen saying today marks the end of ‘our great national f**k-up’.
Former presidents, sports stars and iconic singers are arriving into Washington DC to be part of the historic moment where Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States and Kamala Harris as the first woman, person of color and Indian American vice president.
The celebrations are dramatically scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic and the January 6 attack on the Capitol, with only around 1,000 attendees – down from the typical numbers of around 200,000.
But while the absence of large crowds will be a marked difference from Trump’s inauguration, the line-up of big names is another – as many stars turned down an offer of an invite or performance to 2016’s event in protest.
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were seen arriving at the Capitol around 10 am Wednesday.
Ex-Major League Baseball player Alex Rodriguez was pictured at the West Front of the US Capitol Wednesday where he took photos on his smartphone.
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were seen arriving at the Capitol around 10 am Wednesday
Tiegen traveled to Washington D.C. Tuesday with her husband John Legend, 41, who is set to perform during president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
In a social media post the mode, 34, warned that ‘history will not be kind’ to ‘absolute psychopath’ Donald Trump as she said inauguration day marks the end of ‘our great national f**k-up’ but warned ‘the shame will last forever’.
Other celebrities bringing star power to the day include Lady Gaga, who will sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and Jennifer Lopez who will also perform.
They were both seen in the Capitol grounds Tuesday, where J-Lo posed for a selfie with National Guard troops and Lady Gaga called for ‘a day of peace for all Americans.’
Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman will also read an original poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ during the celebrations.
The inauguration promises to be a star-studded affair with actor Tom Hanks hosting a primetime TV special in the evening featuring performances by Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi and Ant Clemons.
Former Major League Baseball player Alex Rodriguez (center) arrives to the West Front of the US Capitol for the inauguration
Former New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez takes a photograph with his phone
In an emotional social media post she posed under the Capitol dome and called for ‘a day of peace for all Americans’
Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez took a selfie with a group of Maryland National Guard soldiers following an inauguration ceremony rehearsal Tuesday
Impassioned post: Chrissy Teigen has warned that ‘history will not be kind’ to outgoing president Donald Trump (pictured on Tuesday in front of the Washington Monument)
Posting a picture of herself wearing a face mask in front of the Washington Monument to Instagram, the model shared an impassioned message.
Chrissy penned: ‘Our great national f**k-up is over, but the shame will last forever.
‘With 2 impeachments, the creation of 3 million LESS jobs, 403,000 dead, a record low approval rating and god knows how many crimes, we can officially say Donald J Trump is the greatest at being the f**king worst.
‘Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have the guy with barely enough well done steak with ketchup fueled brainpower to power a lightbulb who doesn’t even know how to close an umbrella run the country.’
Chrissy signed off her impassioned post with: ‘History will not be kind to you, you absolute psychopath. But I never was anyhow.’
J-Lo, who will also perform on inauguration day, posted a selfie Tuesday with members of the National Guard on her social media as she said it was ‘an honor’ to spend some time with ‘these brave men and women’.
‘What an honor to spend a few moments with these brave men and women. Thank you for your service and sacrifice,’ she posted.
Lady Gaga greets National Guard soldiers Tuesday as she leaves the US Capitol after rehearsing for Wednesday’s inauguration
Chrissy penned: ‘Our great national f**k-up is over, but the shame will last forever’ in a lengthy social media message
Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez stops to take a selfie with a group of Maryland National Guard soldiers as she leaves the US Capitol building following an inauguration ceremony rehearsal in Washington
J.Lo took time to sit with her crew in preparation for Wednesday’s big performance at the inauguration
Jennifer Lopez sings as rehearsal takes place as National Guard troops provide security at the U.S. Capitol
‘I honor you today and everyday. Tomorrow I sing for you and all Americans.’
The video showed six national guardsmen and the singer posing together in their face masks with some giving a thumbs-up to the camera.
J-Lo was running through a dress rehearsal for Wednesday’s celebrations singing on the steps of the Capitol.
Lady Gaga, who will sing the National Anthem, said inauguration day is a ‘day for dreaming of our future joy as a country’ in an emotional social media post Tuesday.
She shared a snap of herself standing inside the grand dome of the Capitol while dressed in a white outfit and cape with her hair swept back in a dramatic updo as she urged for ‘peace’.
‘I pray tomorrow will be a day of peace for all Americans,’ she wrote.
‘A day for love, not hatred. A day for acceptance not fear. A day for dreaming of our future joy as a country.
‘A dream that is non-violent, a dream that provides safety for our souls. Love, from the Capitol.’
Trump officially leaves office later on Wednesday with president-elect Joe Biden sworn in as his White House successor.
Chrissy has long been an outspoken adversary of Trump and found herself in a Twitter war with the outgoing president in 2019 where he referred to her and husband John as a ‘boring musician’ and ‘his filthy mouthed wife’.
Twitter war: Chrissy has long been an outspoken adversary of Trump and found herself in a Twitter war with the outgoing president in 2019 where he referred to her and husband John as a ‘boring musician’ and ‘his filthy mouthed wife’
Earlier this month, the Sports Illustrated led a slew of celebrities celebrating Trump’s permanent suspension from Twitter after his supporters rioted through the United States Capitol.
‘AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHH,’ wrote Chrissy, who was previously blocked by Trump on Twitter.
In a past interview, the model even admitted to taking ‘pride’ in her ‘ trolling’ of the US President.
She said: ‘I’ve actually been a big Donald Trump hater for a long time. If you go back, I’ve been trolling him for about five to seven years now. I’ve been doing this forever and I take pride in that.
‘I can’t believe somebody could actually do this all day, every day, and still be president. It’s insane.’
Celebrating: Earlier this month, the Sports Illustrated led a slew of celebrities celebrating Trump’s permanent suspension from Twitter after his supporters rioted through the United States Capitol
Elsewhere, Chrissy also revealed on her Instagram that she had been ‘scolded’ for sharing too much information ahead of Biden’s inauguration later on Wednesday.
The model has travelled to Washington, D.C., with her husband John, their two children Luna, four, and Miles, two, and her mother Vilailuck Teigen.
Chrissy has posted several behind-the-scenes snaps and videos ahead of husband John’s performance on TV special, Celebrating America.
The prime-time show will see the likes of John, Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato and Justin Timberlake come together to commemorate the inauguration of Biden.
‘Scolded’: Elsewhere, Chrissy also revealed on her Instagram that she had been ‘scolded’ for sharing too much information ahead of Biden’s inauguration later on Wednesday
Family: The model has travelled to Washington, D.C., with her husband John, their two children Luna, four, and Miles, two, pictured, and her mother Vilailuck Teigen
Taking to her Instagram Story on Tuesday night, Chrissy admitted that she had been ‘scolded’ for sharing too much information and told her fans to ‘act surprised’.
She said: ‘I got in trouble for sharing too much so act surprised tomorrow and don’t tell your friends.’
Chrissy also tweeted: ‘LMAO apparently that was all supposed to be a secret and I got scolded so act surprised tomorrow I’m crying.’
The star had shared several clips of John rehearsing surrounded by military members and posted pictures of herself posing with the National Guard at the Capitol.
Emotional: Chrissy has posted several behind-the-scenes snaps and videos ahead of husband John’s performance on TV special, Celebrating America
Whoops! Shortly after sharing the brief performance clip, Chrissy returned to Twitter to share that she got in trouble for giving her fans a teaser
Oh dear: Chrissy also said on her Instagram Story: ‘I got in trouble for sharing too much so act surprised tomorrow and don’t tell your friends.’
Obviously the reprimand was not harsh because Chrissy did not remove the video or updates from her social media.
The star also hit back at critics who complained about the family’s in-person inauguration attendance and the fact John isn’t performing virtually amid the pandemic.
There is also heightened security in the city due to the recent riots at the United States Capitol, which have made the city nearly impossible to navigate for local residents.
Chrissy hit back with: ‘For f**ks sake why are you guys always always mad at me, all I wanna do is make you happy or at least leave you with a neutral feeling of indifference.
‘True heroes’: The star had shared several clips of John rehearsing surrounded by military members and posted pictures of herself posing with the National Guard at the Capitol
Performance: John will perform on TV special, Celebrating America, which will commemorate the inauguration of Biden and vice-president Kamala Harris
Chrissy also reminded those upset at D.C.’s current lockdown restrictions that it is not directly her fault, but that she feels their frustration during such a volatile time.
‘This is not my fault but I’m sorry you’re frustrated. I just like to share what we are up to and whatnot,’ she explained.
John will perform on TV special, Celebrating America, which will commemorate the inauguration of Biden and vice-president Kamala Harris.
Hitting back: The star also hit back at critics who complained about the family’s in-person inauguration attendance and the fact John isn’t performing virtually amid the pandemic
In a different tweet, she wrote: ‘For f**ks sake why are you guys always always mad at me, all I wanna do is make you happy or at least leave you with a neutral feeling of indifference.’
Eva Longoria and Little Fires Everywhere actress Kerry Washington will also be involved in the 90-minute show hosted by Tom Hanks.
Other stars included in the line-up are Demi Lovato, Jon Bon Jovi and Justin Timberlake.
Lady Gaga will perform national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, for the swearing-in ceremony, which will be held on the West front of the U.S. Capitol building.
Jennifer Lopez, 51, is also on-board to perform – before the TV special airs.
Mr President: Lady Gaga will perform national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, for the swearing-in ceremony, which will be held on the West front of the U.S. Capitol building (above Gaga with Biden in 2017)