Washington buzzed with energy as President Trump’s supporters gathered for his second inaugural, braving freezing temperatures and icy winds. The city felt like a fortress, with National Guardsmen patrolling streets blocked off by heavy barricades. Yet, the mood was electric—filled with triumph, jubilation, and just a bit of gloating. Women navigated the icy sidewalks in stiletto heels and bare legs, determined to make it to packed ballrooms. Billionaires mingled at exclusive parties, while the sounds of the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” echoed from pedicabs day and night. Even the cold couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. One of the highlights? A cheeky moment when Donald Trump Jr. addressed a roaring crowd of 1,500, declaring, “We were babies in the first term, but now we can get stuff done like never before!” Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton couldn’t help but laugh when the president joked about renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The Proud Boys, a group of staunch Trump supporters, added their own flair to the festivities. As they marched past the Canadian Embassy, they chanted, “Are you ready to be the 51st state?” The Canadians, hosting a cozy rooftop party, were initially relieved to hear that Trump wouldn’t impose hefty tariffs on their goods—at least not on Day 1. “There’s relief,” said Andrew Furey, Newfoundland’s premier, who attended the event. But the Proud Boys’ antics outside the embassy reminded everyone that the Trump era is anything but predictable. Despite the cold and the chaos, the atmosphere was one of celebration. It was a day of bold statements, unforgettable moments, and a clear message: Trump’s second term was off to a start as dramatic as the first. ---