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President-elect Donald Trump vowed during a massive rally on Sunday to hit the ground running a day before he was set to take his oath as commander-in-chief, outlining a bold vision for his second term that included a flurry of 200 executive orders out of the gate.

“At noon tomorrow, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a new day of dignity and pride,” Trump declared as he took a jab at his predecessor, Joe Biden, in front of a packed crowd of supporters at the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena downtown for the “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” on inauguration eve.

“Once and for all we’re going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington. A failed administration. We’re not going to take it anymore,” the Republican said as the audience erupted.

The 45th – and soon-to-be-47th – president appeared in good spirits as he took the stage to chants of “USA! USA!”


  President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on Jan. 19, 2025 for a rally on the eve of his inauguration. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on Jan. 19, 2025 for a rally on the eve of his inauguration. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

He smiled broadly as he approached the microphone and said, “we won!” to raucous audience applause.

“What a good feeling — we like winning, don’t we?” he said before rattling off a list of day-one policies he pledged to aggressively start pursuing after he’s sworn in.

“We’re going to stop the invasion of our borders, we’re going to reclaim our wealth, we’re going to unlock the liquid gold that’s right under our feet,” Trump said as he laid out his vision for the country.

“We’re going to bring back law and order to our cities, we’re going to restore patriotism to our schools,” he said, adding that the administration would purge “woke” ideology from schools, government and the military.

“We are going to make America great again,” he said.


  Trump told the crowd that tomorrow the “curtain closes on four long years of American decline.” Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Trump told the crowd that tomorrow the “curtain closes on four long years of American decline.” Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

  Trump gesturing to his supporters as he takes the stage. AP Trump gesturing to his supporters as he takes the stage. AP

  Elon Musk and his son X on stage with Trump at the rally. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Elon Musk and his son X on stage with Trump at the rally. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Ahead of the rally, thousands waited in line for hours outside the arena, braving near-freezing temperatures so they could get a good seat for the final rally before the new administration begins.

“We just came here to celebrate,” said Ying Tan, 34, of New York City.

Tan said she’s been involved with the Asians for Trump movement since 2020, and was part of a group that volunteered in Pennsylvania ahead of the 2024 election.


  Eric and Lara Trump on stage with their children Luke and Carolina. Getty Images Eric and Lara Trump on stage with their children Luke and Carolina. Getty Images

  Donald Trump Jr. on stage with his daughter Kai. Leigh Vogel/UPI/Shutterstock Donald Trump Jr. on stage with his daughter Kai. Leigh Vogel/UPI/Shutterstock

“We want to put America first because right now, they put all the resources to the migrants,” she said, arguing veterans and homeless American citizens should be the ones getting help.

“We want to have a president to put the resources back to our people,” she said. “We have to put our own first,” she said.

Others trekked cross-country for the occasion.

“I’m looking forward to hearing his speech and talking about how he wants to implement change,” said Lorenzo Alvarado, who traveled from Fresno, California.

He hoped to be there for Monday’s swearing-in ceremony before it was moved indoors due to the frigid weather, but took the disappointment in stride.

“It is what it is,” Alvarado, 45, told The Post. “Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, we’re going to be there.”

As for the issues he hopes to see Trump tackle first, Alvarado also cited the southern border.

“Unfortunately, taxpayers are having to pay for [illegal immigrants] … our crime rate is skyrocketing … so definitely looking forward to getting the border closed,” he said.


  Frigid weather didn’t dissuade Trump supporters, who lined up by the thousand ahead of the event. Getty Images Frigid weather didn’t dissuade Trump supporters, who lined up by the thousand ahead of the event. Getty Images

  A crowd of people waiting to enter the rally at Capital One Arena. AFP via Getty Images A crowd of people waiting to enter the rally at Capital One Arena. AFP via Getty Images

Mike Poole, of Palestine, Texas, was lined up outside Capital One Arena since 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning with his wife, Shonda — the first Trump rally the couple has attended.

He said Trump’s second ascent to the presidency represented a political vibe shift.

“You can see if you think about Zuckerberg, Bezos and all these guys going to Mar-a-Largo … it’s nice to see that these guys are starting to follow what the population wants.”


  A Trump supporters holding up a campaign sign at the victory rally. AP Photo/Alex Brandon A Trump supporters holding up a campaign sign at the victory rally. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Poole, 57, also said he believes Trump is a changed man since his first term, and shared what he hoped would be different the second time around.

“He’s more down to earth at this point. Hopefully he’s going to stay off of the Twitter feed and just not be as … rude.”

The Pooles weren’t the only Texans who made the pilgrimage to DC.

Diana Young and Denise Ballew both drove up to DC from the Lone Star State to show their support.

“We are thrilled to have Donald Trump back in office. We’re returning back to American values, we’re turning back to our constitution,” Young said.


  Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood and The Village People were among the musical acts to perform at the rally. AP Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood and The Village People were among the musical acts to perform at the rally. AP

Adam Anderson, a Trump supporter from Pittsburgh who waited in line since 9 a.m., said he noticed a shift in Trump’s base of support.

“It seems a bit broader now,” he observed, noting that he hopes to see “good fiscal policy” in the second Trump term.

Inside the arena, a festival-like atmosphere took over the crowd as they danced, cheered and rocked out to on-stage performers including Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood and The Village People.

The rally is part of a weekend of festivities including inaugural balls, a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and a star-studded fireworks display from Trump National Golf Club in Virginia.

Trump’s inauguration is a historic event in a number of ways, including marking the first time a commander-in-chief has served nonconsecutive terms in nearly 140 years.

Grover Cleveland served as the nation’s 22nd and 24th president, from 1885 to 1889 and then from 1893 to 1897.

It will also be the first time a president has taken the oath of office inside the US Capitol Rotunda in 40 years, as a cold snap set to grip the nation’s capital Monday forced the ceremony indoors.

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