“Trump’s 2025 Inauguration: A Frosty Welcome in a Divided America”

Photographer Sinna Nasseri is well-acquainted with documenting pivotal moments in history. Recently, he covered the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles, alongside major events such as the Golden Globes, the World Series, and naturally, the 2025 inauguration, capturing images for Vanity Fair.

The inauguration took place indoors in the US Capitol Rotunda because of an exceptionally low forecast of 10 degrees, restricting both participants and media coverage. Although many of Donald Trump’s enthusiasts arrived at the Capitol yearning to see the new president from the National Mall, they were unexpectedly directed to the Capital One Arena. With just 20,000 seats available, numerous individuals found themselves without seating arrangements.

Nasseri positioned himself shoulder to shoulder with Trump’s dedicated, cheerful, and warmly dressed supporters, who were watching—via their smartphones and from taverns—the president pledge to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution. After the climate-protected ceremony, Nasseri ventured into the streets of Washington, DC, documenting a wide range of individuals, from a gathering of Proud Boys to members of the National Guard and MAGA backers, as they took command of the capital city Monday—and for the upcoming four years.