Inside the inaugural balls Trump attended for his 2025 swearing-in celebration
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended three inaugural presidential balls to celebrate his 2025 inauguration Monday evening: the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Ball and the Starlight Ball.
After delivering several speeches earlier in the day and signing a series of executive orders — including one on granting clemency to Jan. 6 defendants, several on immigration policy, and another on his plans to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement — Mr. Trump headed out to celebrate with supporters and deliver brief remarks at each of the three balls.
Commander-in-Chief Ball
The first stop for Mr. Trump was the Commander-in-Chief Ball, which is geared toward military service members. The president and the first lady entered the stage and danced to "An American Trilogy" by Elvis Presley.
"I've had no higher privilege in life than to serve as your commander in chief, not once but twice," Mr. Trump said to the cheering crowd.
During his speech, he gave shoutouts to Space Force, the branch of the U.S. Armed Forces focused on military operations and defense in space, and thanked service members he described as some of his biggest supporters.
The country music band Rascal Flatts and country singer Parker McCollum were booked as the featured performers at the Commander-in-Chief Ball.
First lady Melania Trump's gown was designed by her stylist, Hervé Pierre.
Pete Hegseth, Mr. Trump's pick to lead the Defense Department, was seen posing for photos with other attendees at the Commander-In-Chief Ball, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Other bold-faced names attending the ball included actor Jon Voight, named by Mr. Trump as one his "Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California," and musicians Kid Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus, who were also performing.
Liberty Ball
At this ball, meant for supporters of the president, guests awaiting his arrival had a chance to take photos with a gray backdrop and a logo of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office — just like Mr. Trump's mug shot after he surrendered to authorities on charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Mr. Trump has denied wrongdoing and claims the charges were politically motivated.
Country singer Jason Aldean, who performed at the Liberty Ball, talked with "CBS Mornings" earlier in the day about how he got the gig.
"I've known President Trump for a few years, and you know, had a chance to spend a couple of New Years with him, play golf, and different things, and obviously been a big supporter of his over the last few years, and so, when he got elected, I just called and said, 'I don't know what this looks like, but I would just love to be there in some capacity,'" Aldean said.
Rapper Nelly was also slated to perform. The Grammy Award-winning artist, known for his global 2002 smash hit "Hot In Herre," told CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman that he was "honored to have been asked" to perform.
The ball also featured the Village People, a big favorite on Trump rally playlists.
Attendees included Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, who celebrated her father's inauguration but have opted not to return to jobs in the White House for his second term.
Ticket holders lined up on a bitter cold night in Washington to gain entry to the ball.
Starlight Ball
Country singer Gavin DeGraw was the star entertainer for the third inaugural ball, the Starlight Ball. Many of the guests invited to this event were major donors to the president's campaign.
