Even the most meticulously planned events can have unforeseen mishaps. Case in point: the 2025 presidential inauguration of Donald Trump that took place on Monday, January 20, 2025.
The ceremony was a goldmine of meme-worthy moments, which included Mark Zuckerberg seemingly looking where he shouldn’t look and Billy Ray Cyrus giving a performance deemed an “epic disaster.”
From wardrobe fiascos to eyebrow-raising PDA, here are some moments from the ceremony that had the internet laughing and cringing.
#1 Trump And Melania’s PDA Left Everyone Cringing
It was Trump vs. Melania’s hat each time the president leaned in for a kiss.
One one occasion, the Apprentice alum tried to plant a kiss on his Slovenian wife’s cheek but the massive brim of the Eric Javits hat got in the way.
The missed kiss sparked mixed reviews online, with one asking, “How can Trump properly kiss his wife when she is wearing such a silly hat?”
“THAT’S WHY SHE WORE THAT GREAT BIG HAT – TO MAKE SURE HE DIDN’T FORCE ANOTHER KISS ON HER,” another bluntly said.
“Actually he was being very considerate. They both probably spent an hour in make-up and she was wearing a hat,” one commented.
Despite the awkward kiss, Trump still managed to smooch his wife on her cheek during other moments of the ceremony.
Image credits: growing_daniel
#2 Melania Channeled Her Inner Hamburglar
Trump’s love for McDonald’s became the subject of conversation after Melania showed up in a hat that reminded fans of the Hamburglar—the mischievous mascot known for stealing hamburgers.
The first lady’s navy blue ensemble and wide-brimmed hat was not only compared to the burger-loving cartoon thief but also to Michael Jackson, Darkwing Duck, and an “anime villain.”
If that wasn’t enough, some even claimed Melania wasn’t even Melania, but was a “body double” instead.
“Melania is a body double today,” one said, while another joked, “Melania’s body double is giving Rupaul here.”
Image credits: Whosyour_guy
#3 Was Mark Zuckerberg Caught Peeping At Lauren Sánchez’s Chest?
“What a dog,” read a social media comment after Mark Zuckerberg appeared to netizens to have a wandering eye.
Some were convinced that the Facebook founder, who sat beside his wife, Priscilla Chan, in the Capitol Rotunda, took a peek at Lauren Sanchez’s cleavage.
“Mark Zuckerberg is ready to risk it all for Jeff Bezos’ fiancée at the inauguration,” one said, while another jokingly asked if he “is human after all?”
Sanchez attended the ceremony with her fiancé, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Her white blazer, thrown on top of a bra, was deemed “inappropriate” by some people online.
“Didn’t someone tell her that wearing lingerie to an inauguration was inappropriate?! Unbelievable,” one said.
“She doesn’t care how inappropriate it is as she’s always an attention seeker,” another said.
Image credits: Richi0118
#4 John Fetterman Shows Up In Gym Shorts
John Fetterman’s “I’m here, am I?” ☠️🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/gPrEKciAhp
— PoppaFamz (@PoppaFamz) January 20, 2025
#5 Elon Musk Proved He Was The Ultimate Cheerleader
Elon Musk’s reaction when Trump mentioned Mars: pic.twitter.com/CMEsuyr1i2
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) January 20, 2025
#6 Hillary Clinton Sat Like She Was At The Front Row Of A Comedy Show
Hilary Clinton laughing at Trump changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘Gulf of America’ is all of us today#Inauguration2025 pic.twitter.com/43Abe0tsOc
— Caolán Mc Aree (@Caolanmcaree) January 20, 2025
#7 Billy Ray Cyrus Gave An “Epic Disaster” Of A Performance
Just when you think this day is over, Billy Ray Cyrus happens… pic.twitter.com/BggTXFuKIf
— Nancy Sidley (@nancytsidley) January 21, 2025
#8 When The Music Fails, Carrie Underwood Prevails
*Music not playing*@carrieunderwood: “I can just sing it” pic.twitter.com/C8bu4laFNt
— Kit Maher (@KitMaherCNN) January 20, 2025
#9 The Weather Took The Party Inside
Some netizens sympathized with the workers who meticulously prepared the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony, only for the inauguration to be moved indoors at the last minute.
Due to Washington’s sub-freezing temperatures, Trump announced ahead of the ceremony that he would take the oath of office from inside the Capitol Rotunda.
“The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows,” he said on social media. “There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”
Image credits: Geiger_Capital
#10 Grumpy Bernie Does It Again
“Bernie is at it again,” a social media user said about the senator’s appearance at the 2025 Inaugratuion.
Bernie Sanders remained unfazed as he remained seated while the rest of the room gave Trump a standing ovation during his inaugural speech.
The demanor of the seemingly unbothered lawmaker reminded netizens of his iconic meme from former president Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, during which he was captured on the steps of the US Capitol wearing mittens and a winter coat.
“Inside or outside, same pose,” one joked online after Trump’s inauguration.
Image credits: 2HNDSUM