LIVE NOW: Trump to be sworn in as president, won’t impose tariffs on Day 1, reports say

Watch the CTV News Special Report: The Inauguration of Donald J. Trump

Donald Trump’s return to the White House as the 47th president of the United States officially begins today with his swearing-in ceremony at noon EST.

CTVNews.ca is streaming “The Inauguration of Donald J. Trump” hosted by Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Omar Sachedina and Chief Political Correspondent Vassy Kapelos in our video player above. You can also follow updates from our journalists and political analyst Eric Ham in our live blog below.

Here’s what else you need to know about the historic event.

11:42 EST: Trump, JD Vance prepare to swear in

President-elect Donald Trump and vice-president-elect JD Vance prepare to swear in as they are both escorted to the podium. Members of the audience are chanting “U.S.A.”

11:41 a.m. EST: Biden, Harris join the crowd

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has joined the crowd flanking the podium. Biden is with outgoing Vice-President Kamala Harris standing by his side.

11:31 a.m. EST: Family, billionaires sit behind podium

Donald Trump’s family, including children Ivanka, Donald Trump Jr., Eric, Tiffany and Barron, sits in the first row behind the podium.

Tech billionaires Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos sitting right behind.

11:30 a.m. EST: The former first and second ladies that aren’t attending

While former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is in attendance at Trump’s inauguration, his wife, former second lady Karen, is not.

Karen Pence snubbed the Trumps earlier this month at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, where she ignored Melania Trump’s efforts to shake her hand.

Michelle Obama also chose not to attend.

The Associated Press

11:19 a.m. EST: Deportation could make headlines today

Former Canadian ambassador to U.S. Gary Doer tells Vassy Kapelos he thinks the big news with executive orders today will be on the deportation of immigrants in the U.S., adding that he feels Trump will study the impact of tariffs and see its “unintended consequences” of raising inflation.

11:11 a.m. EST: Supreme Court justices

All nine Supreme Court justices have arrived at the Capitol, led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. Retired Justice Stephen Breyer also is there.

The Associated Press

11:03 a.m. EST: Trump enters Capitol with Biden

Biden and Trump are making their way to the Rotunda with Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Biden said he was doing “well” in response to a question about how he was feeling as he entered the Capitol with Trump. Jill Biden, Melania Trump, Doug Emhoff, JD Vance and Usha Vance are also filing in.

The Associated Press

10:58 a.m. EST: Trump’s legacy

CTV News political analyst Eric Ham tells Omar Sachedina and Vassy Kapelos that “this is a remarkable moment in time right now,” with an opportunity for Donald Trump to define his legacy by something greater than the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

10:49 a.m. EST: Gulf of Mexico and Denali

Trump is expected to sign an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” reports NBC News, citing incoming White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Trump also wants to change the name of Denali -- the tallest mountain in North America -- to Mount McKinley. It’s not clear whether a U.S. president, however, has the authority to rename the Gulf of Mexico, which is in international waters.

10:45 a.m. EST: Opportunity for Canada

David Paterson, Ontario’s representative in Washington, tells Omar Sachedina that the Trump administration may create a “big shift in global trade,” but he sees an “enormous” growth opportunity for both Canada and the U.S. as long as they continue to have “lots of conversations.”

10:40 a.m. EST: Trumps, Bidens exit White House

The Bidens and Trumps have exited the White House following their tea, continuing a long-standing tradition as part of the transfer of power. The group emerged without remarks.

All four are riding together in the so called “beast” – a large, black armored vehicle which will carry them together to the inauguration ceremony. Helicopters circled overhead as the motorcade snaked through Washington.

10:37 a.m. EST: Ontario threatens to sweep liquor shelves of U.S. products

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he has asked the LCBO, Ontario’s liquor retailer, to “clear off every bit of U.S. alcohol off the shelves,” should Trump introduce sweeping tariffs. Federal cabinet members are said to have prepared a list of U.S. goods as potential targets for retaliatory tariffs. That list includes orange juice and bourbon, which are large industries in Trump-friendly states.

The Washington Post reported this morning that Trump has asked his trade representative to examine the United States’ trade relationship with Canada before introducing potential tariffs. The news, if true, brings relief to cabinet members who have gathered for a war room meeting in Quebec today.

10:25 a.m. EST: Bezos arrives

Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, has arrived to attend the inauguration ceremony. He is one of a handful of ultra-wealthy guests expected to show face, along with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla head Elon Musk.

The latter is one of Trump’s most ardent supporters, having propped up Trump’s candidacy through his America Political Action Committee. He has since appeared numerous times with the incoming president, and will lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

10:21 a.m. EST: Biden’s message to Americans

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden posts on X that it’s been an “honour” to serve the American people.

10:17 a.m. EST: Billionaires to heads of states

Historian and political expert David Eisenbach tells Omar Sachedina that Trump’s inauguration will have everyone from congressmen and senators to billionaires and foreign heads of state in attendance.

10:10 a.m. EST: A ‘peaceful transfer’

Omar Sachedina says the meeting of the incoming and outgoing presidents outside the White House just moments ago “marks the beginning of a peaceful transfer of power,” noting a sharp contrast to Joe Biden’s final message last week about the oligarchy threatening democracy.

10:07 a.m. EST: Putin congratulates Trump

Speaking during a video call with members of Russia’s Security Council just before Trump’s inauguration, Putin said that “we hear the statements from Trump and members of his team about their desire to restore direct contacts with Russia, which were halted through no fault of ours by the outgoing administration.”

“We also hear his statements about the need to do everything to prevent World War III,” Putin said in televised comments. “We certainly welcome such an approach and congratulate the U.S. president-elect on taking office.” Putin said Moscow is open to discussing a prospective peace settlement in Ukraine, adding it should lead not to a short truce but a lasting peace and take into account Russia’s interests.

The Associated Press

10:01 a.m. EST: Electric vehiclesTrump will sign an executive order that will effectively put an end to the electric vehicle mandate in U.S., reports the Wall Street Journal, citing incoming White House Officials. The order will also reverse federal efforts to curtail consumer choice on home appliances like dishwashers and stoves.

9:58 a.m. EST: Biden greets Trump

Donald Trump has arrived at the White House, where he and his wife Melania were greeted by the Bidens.

It was unclear what the four said to each other. Trump placed an arm on Jill Biden’s arm, and the group briefly posed for a photo. They quickly turned to head inside to drink tea together, as per tradition. They did not take questions.

9:56 a.m. EST: Greenland

Jeanne Meserve, an international security analyst, tells Omar Sachedina that Trump’s comments about not ruling out the use of military force to seize the Panama Canal and Greenland are just a “bargaining position” and is “something that can’t happen.”

9:53 a.m. EST: Biden’s last selfie as president

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, in his final hours in the White House, published his last selfie from the official residence.“One more selfie for the road. We love you, America,” wrote the president, posing in the photo with his wife and outgoing first lady Jill Biden.

9:47 a.m. EST: VP Vance arrivesVice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff greeted Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance when they arrived at the White House moments ago.

9:44 a.m. EST: Trump will be ‘less dismal’

Dr. David Eisenbach, historian and political expert, tells CTV News he thinks Donald Trump’s tone today “will be a little less dismal than the first inaugural address.”

9:39 a.m. EST: Transgender protections

Trump will sign an executive order declaring that the federal government would recognize only two genders: male and female, an incoming White House official said Monday. The order undoes parts of one President Joe Biden signed on his first day in office four years ago. Trump’s order could restrict access to gender-affirming medical care and sports competitions for some transgender people. The official said only two sexes will be recognized on passports and visas.

The Associated Press

9:37 a.m. EST: Executive orders

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is going to issue a series of orders aimed at remaking America’s immigration policies in his first day in office, ending asylum access, sending troops to the southern border and ending birthright citizenship, an incoming White House official said.

It’s unclear how he would carry out some of his executive orders, while others are expected to be immediately challenged in the courts.

The Associated Press

9:34 a.m. EST: Trudeau in Quebec

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Quebec for a cabinet meeting, where officials have convened a war room of sorts to respond to any tariff announcements today. A source told CTV News this morning that they hope the Washington Post and New York Times reporting is true, and that the incoming administration will not introduce tariffs against Canada on day one. However, if something comes down today, they will respond, the source said.

9:28 a.m. EST: No tariffs on first day

Citing White House sources, The Wall Street Journal and New York Times are reporting Donald Trump will not be imposing tariffs on his first day of office.

9:24 a.m. EST: Trump on motorcadeDonald and Melania Trump have left St. John’s Episcopal Church and have stepped into his motorcade.

9:21 a.m. EST: Major security presence

Some 25,000 police and military personnel are in Washington this morning.

The operation is the result of 18 months of planning, international security expert Jeanne Meserve told CTV News.

Authorities had to take into account the two assassination attempts against the president-elect, and the recent attack in New Orleans, on top of their regular security considerations, she said.

9:18 a.m. EST: Trump goes to church

Ahead of his inauguration, Trump begins his morning with a prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Here he is shaking hands with Vice President-elect JD Vance as Usha Vance, Melania Trump, Barron Trump and Melania Trump’s father, Victor Knavs.

9:08 a.m. EST: PM Trudeau not attending

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not attending Trump’s inauguration. Instead, he is in Quebec for a cabinet retreat.

Canada-U.S. relations is a priority topic for the meeting, which takes place under the shadow of Trump’s threats of sweeping tariffs against Canada.

In a statement released ahead of the retreat last week, Trudeau vowed “to make unequivocally clear the mutually beneficial trade and security relationship the two countries share.”

9 a.m. EST: Moving day madness

The “transfer of families” is a frenetic Inauguration Day ritual of approximately five hours where the White House is turned over from the outgoing presidential family to the incoming one.

In that time, while the outgoing and incoming presidents are together for the inaugural ceremony -- White House residence staff hustle to inventory belongings, pack and move out one family and prepare the residence for its new occupants.

The process wasn’t always so efficient, though.

After the disputed election of 1876, outgoing President Ulysses S. Grant suggested that his successor, Rutherford B. Hayes, take the oath of office two days early to prevent potential unrest.

Hayes did that but then took a second oath as scheduled. Grant, though, didn’t actually vacate the White House until after Haye’s second swearing-in.

The Associated Press

With files from CTV’s Phil Hahn and Luca Caruso-Moro