President Donald Trump and Melania Trump hit three inaugural balls in one night to mark the beginning of a new MAGA era.
The president and first lady started at the military-themed Commander in Chief ball, before heading to the nearby Liberty Ball where they danced onstage with the entire Trump family, before motorcading to Union Station for the Starlight Ball.
‘We needed three because we have such support,’ Trump told the crowd at the Liberty Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Monday night.
The crowds waited hours to see the new commander-in-chief and he and the first lady were finally played on at the Commander in Chief ball a little before 10:30 p.m. by the United States Marine Band.
The first lady debuted a white and black leggy dress, which was custom-made by Hervé Pierre, the same designer who crafted her 2017 inaugural gown.
They did their first slow dance to The Battle Hymn of the Republic played by the United States Marine Band before being joined onstage by Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha.
The couples then danced with members of the military, as is the custom.
‘This is quite a gathering huh?’ the newly sworn-in president said, as the crowd numbered in the thousands, with many servicemembers sporting their dress uniforms.
The Commander in Chief ball is dedicated to the six branches of the military.
‘Recruitment numbers are through the roof for the last two months,’ Trump boasted as he addressed the crowd.
Before Trump left the stage he conversed with troops stationed in South Korea who popped up on the Jumbotron screens.
‘How are we doing over there. How’s Kim Jong Un doing?’ he said with a laugh.
During his first term he met with North Korean Leader Kim on three occasions but wasn’t able to finalize a denuclearization deal.
Trump then used a sword to cut into an Air Force One cake onstage – that was made to look like his design for the presidential aircraft that President Joe Biden scrapped.
‘I’m going to take a piece home with me,’ he said.
YMCA played as he started to depart, though he danced with the swords onstage before taking off.
‘The Secret Service is getting very nervous,’ Vance commented at the sight.
Rascal Flatts played after the Trumps departed from the Commander in Chief ball while other musical acts – including Billy Ray Cyrus and Jason Aldean – kept audiences occupied as they awaited the president and first lady.
At the Liberty Ball, which was also at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, they president and first lady again danced to The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
This time, however, the whole Trump clan came onstage, including Tiffany Trump who was visibly showing off her baby bump.
Donald Trump Jr. was spotted dancing with his kids – including daughter Chloe and Kai, who made her political debut in July by speaking at the Republican National Convention.
Trump Jr. has also been joined by new girlfriend Bettina Anderson at inauguration events this weekend – and had to stand onstage at one inaugural gala with ex-fiancee and future Greek ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle.
The Trump family slow danced to Unchained Melody – Ivanka Trump with Jared Kushner, Lara Trump with Eric – before the band The Village People came out to again perform the MAGA classic YMCA.
The Village People also performed at the Sunday afternoon Trump victory rally – and again at Turning Point USA’s Inauguration-Eve ball Sunday night.
Attendees at the Starlight Ball were also treated to a dance by the entire first family – this time to Frank Sinatra’s I Did It My Way – another favorite tune of the president.
Attendees at the third and final ball – where press access was much more restricted – included Caitlyn Jenner, Vince Vaughn, Jake and Logan Paul and Mike Tyson.
Video went viral of Jake Paul putting Tyson on his back ahead of the Trumps’ arrival.
During the hours that the Trumps were delayed, all attention was on where Fox News was broadcasting in the press section of the Commander in Chief ball.
The crowd started cheering at the sight of ex-Fox weekend anchor Pete Hegseth, now Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, who was given a hug by Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
Hegseth jokingly declined an interview with CNN, who was broadcasting nearby, as he took selfies with attendees down the line.
Trump later gave Hegseth a shout-out from onstage.
Actor Jon Voight was also on hand, as was Kid Rock, who lit up a cigar in the smoke-free venue.
He also carried what appeared to be a whisky as he got on-set with Hannity and other Fox guests.
The three official balls were the top tickets in town to score – though a number of conservative groups held their own fetes throughout the weekend as well.