Washington, DC, is gearing up for a blizzard of balls, galas, and cocktail receptions to celebrate President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office.
The most coveted events are the three official inaugural balls Monday at which Trump himself is scheduled to appear and speak after taking the oath of office.
They include the Commander in Chief Ball focused on military service members, the Starlight Ball for the president’s top donors, and the Liberty Inaugural Ball geared toward rank-and-file supporters — which will also feature a performance by the Village People, who will likely sing the co-opted MAGA anthem “Y.M.C.A”
The ball locations so far remain undisclosed and are invite-only.
It’s possible Trump could make an appearance at any number of the unofficial balls throughout the evening, insiders said.
One of the biggest in the group is the All-American Inaugural Ball on Saturday, an inauguration event now in its third decade, which will feature special guests singer Lee Greenwood and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who will be receiving their “Hero Lifetime Achievement Award.”
“While many of us are counting the hours until President Trump’s return, the opportunity to be part of a decades-long tradition that honors our nation’s heroes at the All-American ball is an honor,” said Sean Spicer, the event’s master of ceremonies.
The marquee Sunday evening gala will be with the conservative activist organization Turning Point USA headlined by Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Other guests will include Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, Tulsi Gabbard, who has been nominated as director of National Intelligence, and Donald Trump Jr., according to an invite.
TikTok will also be hosting an inaugural event on Sunday, seemingly undeterred by a law that will force them to divest from their Chinese owners or shut down in the US that same day.
Sunday afternoon’s big shindig will be the Red White and Western reception and celebration at Hill Country Barbeque hosted by Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis and California GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa — chairs of the Senate and House Western caucuses.
Trump’s LGBT supporters will be holding a cocktail reception Sunday at the Jefferson Hotel before most of the evening activities kick-off.
Another hot ticket in town will be a Sunday brunch held by Spotify focusing on podcasters and new media.
