News | International
16 Feb 2025 11:47
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > International

    Six key takeaways from Donald Trump's pre-inauguration rally

    The Village People, Elon Musk and false claims about violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants — here's everything you need to know about Donald Trump's pre-inauguration rally.


    US president-elect Donald Trump has held a campaign-style rally on the eve of his inauguration, which included famous faces and free-wheeling speeches featuring controversial claims and sweeping promises.

    With supporters lining up in sub-zero conditions to get a seat, Trump used his time on stage to provide a preview of what the first day of his second term in office might look like.

    Trump to repeal 'every radical and foolish executive'

    Just hours from being sworn into office, Trump used his time on stage to lay out his plans for day one.

    He told the crowd they would have a "lot of fun watching television" as he begins the process of repealing executive orders made during the Biden presidency.

    "Somebody said yesterday, 'Sir, don't sign so many in one day, let's do it over a period of weeks,'" he said.

    "I said, 'Like hell, we're going to do it over weeks, we're going to sign them at the beginning.'"

    He said his plan involved handing education "back to the states", which will allow them to enforce their own policies — a proposal put forward by Project 2025.

    He also committed to releasing records related to the assassinations of President John F Kennedy, his brother Robert F Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

    TikTok front of mind

    Social media app TikTok has become a hot political issue as Trump returns to the presidency after it shut down to comply with a national ban.

    "As of today, TikTok is back," Trump told the rally, adding he believes it helped win him the "youth vote" at the election.

    "I like it. I had a slightly good experience," he says.

    "Frankly, we have to save it. A lot of jobs."

    Illegal immigration rhetoric continues

    In a wide-ranging speech, Trump said a key focus of his presidency would be sealing the US border with Mexico.

    He said he would go into further detail during his inauguration address about his "aggressive and sweeping efforts" to close the US border.

    Trump said his administration would deal with immigrants moving across the border who were "probably worse than Hannibal Lecter".

    "We're taking in people that shouldn't be here," he claims.

    "They come in from prisons, from jails — they shouldn't be here — from mental institutions…"

    He repeated false claims immigrants were responsible for a significant amount of crime in the US.

    It is rhetoric the MAGA movement has leant on throughout Trump's candidacy, particularly around the murder of college student Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela last year.

    Trump was supported by his incoming deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, who said he believed the new president would sign an executive order on immigration shortly after taking office.

    He said it would "end the border invasion, sending the illegals home and [take] America back".

    Musk and 'little X' summoned

    A now regular roster of familiar faces who have previously expressed their support for the incoming president were on hand to help rev up the crowd.

    UFC boss Dana White — who spoke at the Republican National Convention and was recently elected to Meta's board of directors — heaped praise on the incoming president, hailing Trump's "incredible comeback story".

    "Think of all the things President Trump had to go through to get back here," Mr White said.

    "All the powerful forces that tried to take him down: the mainstream media, partisan prosecutors, assassins! It's absolutely insane what this man has gone through."

    Actor and newly minted Hollywood "special ambassador" Jon Voight called Trump's victory in the November poll "the great win of all time".

    Tech billionaire Elon Musk — who will head up the new Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE — was summoned onstage by Trump to give what sounded like an impromptu speech.

    "So, we're looking, we're looking forward to making a lot of changes, and you know, this victory is the start, really," Mr Musk said.

    He was joined by his four-year-old son X Æ A-Xii, who Mr Musk referred to as "little X".

    Arctic blast chills supporters

    People gathering to celebrate the pre-inauguration rally were greeted with freezing temperatures, rain and even light snow.

    Supporters waited outside the doors of the Capital One Arena, some for hours at a time in minus 4 degrees Celsius weather.

    The weather offered an insight into plans for the inauguration, which has been moved indoors for the first time in 40 years.

    The weather forecast is expected to drop to minus 7C on the day, and will feel even colder due to the wind chill.

    Despite the harsh weather, thousands packed the arena to hear Trump lay out the tone for the next four years.

    It takes a village

    Closing out the rally were the members of the Village People, who bounded onto the stage in their famous costumes to join the incoming president.

    Standing in a line, with Trump in the middle, the band performed their hit YMCA, which was on high rotation during his campaign rallies.

    As the Village People threw their arms in the air during the famous chorus, Trump pumped his fists back and forth, before clapping and mouthing to the crowd "thank you".

    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other International News
     16 Feb: Miss Pacific Islands beauty pageant saga sees police 'investigating fraud' after week of drama
     16 Feb: Freed Israeli hostage learns daughter's name, as released Palestinians burn shirts
     16 Feb: Christian pastor denied burial as attacks on religious minorities rise in India
     16 Feb: Elon Musk's DOGE agency is at the centre of controversy in the US. So what is it?
     15 Feb: Drone attack on Chernobyl nuclear plant casts shadow over peace prospects
     15 Feb: 'Energy prices could and should be lower', but are retailers profiteering?
     15 Feb: Civil lawsuit accusing Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs of rape dropped
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A win full of grit and satisfaction for the Chiefs to open their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Resale conditions are improving in New Zealand's property market More...



     Today's News

    Rugby League:
    Maori All Stars coach Adam Blair's cut a beaming figure after their 10-6 win over the Indigenous All Stars in their annual match ahead of the NRL rugby league season 11:06

    Business:
    Resale conditions are improving in New Zealand's property market 11:06

    Law and Order:
    Miss Pacific Islands beauty pageant saga sees police 'investigating fraud' after week of drama 10:56

    Law and Order:
    Organisers of Auckland pride events are warning people to be vigilant, following disruptions by Destiny Church followers yesterday 10:56

    Soccer:
    Motivation for revenge has inspired Auckland FC to yet another win in football's men's A-League 10:46

    Health & Safety:
    Lessons to help Pacific people in the event of another pandemic 10:46

    Law and Order:
    Freed Israeli hostage learns daughter's name, as released Palestinians burn shirts 10:36

    Health & Safety:
    Concerns over a growing trend in New Zealanders travelling abroad for weight loss surgery 10:26

    Accident and Emergency:
    One person's died and another's in hospital after a single-vehicle crash in Auckland early this morning 10:26

    Health & Safety:
    A new medical trial's hoping to bring relief to families whose pre-schoolers suffer from a severe respiratory illness 10:16


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd