(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) As president-elect Donald Trump takes his oath of office at 11 a.m. central time in Washington, Lipscomb students and Tennesseans have their own festivities planned in Nashville.
Although polls released this week revealed that 45th president has a historically low approval rating for an incoming president, political science professor Dr. Marc Schwerdt said the inauguration has the potential to be another unique aspect of the Trump presidency.
“I think the optics of this are going to be memorable even if his words are not especially, but then the contrast is going to be between his Twitter demeanor and his rally demeanor versus the temperament you’re expected to show from the actual backside of the Capitol building looking out over the mall,” Schwerdt said. “You’re looking for that Lincoln-type temperament. You’re not looking for that ringmaster from Barnum and Bailey.”
Lipscomb junior Joel Cottrill cast his first vote in a presidential election for Trump and is ready to watch him take the Oval Office, despite Trump not being his first choice for the Republican Party.
“I am somewhat excited for a Trump presidency, ” Cottrill said. “I think it’s a total change compared to where we have been even with previous Republicans.
All major television networks will be broadcasting the inauguration such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision and Telemundo, and the cable networks CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Bloomberg and C-SPAN. For those looking to watch the event online, Youtube, the New York Times, the Washington Post, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and NPR will be live streaming. The White House also offers a live stream.
Lipscomb sophomore Mason Borneman will not be watching the inauguration.
“Through history, we have witnessed some of our nation’s greatest public servants accept the awesome responsibility of being President of the United States, sending messages of hope, progress and resilience to our nation and world,” Borneman said. “The man who will be taking that time-honored oath this time, however, has represented anything but that over the course of his campaign and since his victory in November.”
For others not interested in watching the inauguration, Nashville citizens will be joining cities nationwide in engaging in a “silent inauguration.” During the time of the inauguration, Nashvillians will be gathering in Centennial Park to observe 15 minutes of silence after reciting the pledge of allegiance, a moment of prayer and singing the National Anthem.
According to the organization’s website, Friday’s silence does not imply acceptance. Instead, the event hopes to encourage power and unity through a short escape from the negativity surrounding this political season and a moment to join together “in a spirit of love for our nation.”
“We will be civil—we will be orderly and lawful and show love and respect for our country,” the website reads. “In contrast to the noise and vitriol of this presidential campaign, we will be quiet. In contrast to the demeaning rhetoric and hateful division towards our fellow Americans, we will offer support and community.”
Following the inauguration, additional opportunities for support and community are available on Saturday at 10 a.m. as the Women’s March on Washington takes to the streets of Nashville at Cumberland Park.
Lipscomb junior Morgan Bowling will not be watching the inauguration, but she will be attending the march.
“I strongly disapprove of Donald Trump as president, and, as seen in the cabinet hearings, those that he’s chosen as his cabinet are wildly unfit for their positions,” Bowling said. “I am attending the women’s march because I want to show solidarity with other women in the community and hear community leaders speak about issues that I care about.”