Joe Biden and Donald Trump: same place but poles apart on inauguration day


Ian Oxborrow
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It is the same location and the same day - but most likely two very different US presidents.

Four years apart, these two images of Donald Trump and Joe Biden taking their oath on the steps of Capitol Hill on inauguration day.

As Mr Trump began under gloomy skies, his presidency ended under a dark cloud too, amid his claims of electoral foul play and the Capitol riots on January 6.

He is seen taking the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts, as his wife Melania holds the Bible, and with his children Barron, Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany.

Mr Biden, meanwhile, is seen ushering in a brighter future for many Americans, as he became the 46th president of the US.

Chief Justice John Roberts is again present as Jill Biden holds the Bible for the new president while their children, Ashley and Hunter, watch.

Here's another angle of them taking the oath ...

In the slider below you can see the two presidents giving their first address.

Mr Trump, unlike most departing presidents, decided not to attend the inauguration ceremony of Mr Biden in Washington, preferring to fly to his resort in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

It was the first time in 152 years that a departing president has not attended his successor's inauguration ceremony.

He gave a final speech as president before flying away aboard Air Force One.

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Joe Biden sworn in as US president - in pictures

  • US President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential inauguration in Washington. Reuters
    US President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential inauguration in Washington. Reuters
  • President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House. Reuters
    President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House. Reuters
  • President Joe Biden swears in presidential appointees in a virtual ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House. Reuters
    President Joe Biden swears in presidential appointees in a virtual ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House. Reuters
  • President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House. AP Photo
    President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House. AP Photo
  • President Joe Biden and his wife Jill embrace as they arrive to the White House. Reuters
    President Joe Biden and his wife Jill embrace as they arrive to the White House. Reuters
  • President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk up the stairs as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House. AP Photo
    President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk up the stairs as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House. AP Photo
  • President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and family, walk in front of the White House. AP Photo
    President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and family, walk in front of the White House. AP Photo
  • President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. AP Photo
    President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. AP Photo
  • Former President Bill Clinton with his wife, former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush with his wife Laura Bush, and former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama at the Arlington National Cemetery. Reuters
    Former President Bill Clinton with his wife, former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush with his wife Laura Bush, and former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama at the Arlington National Cemetery. Reuters
  • US President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff look on as they leave the US Capitol after the inauguration ceremony. Reuters
    US President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff look on as they leave the US Capitol after the inauguration ceremony. Reuters
  • US President Joe Biden signs documents in the President's Room at the US Capitol following the inauguration ceremony. Bloomberg
    US President Joe Biden signs documents in the President's Room at the US Capitol following the inauguration ceremony. Bloomberg
  • Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, wave from the Capitol steps as former Vice President Mike Pence's motorcade departs. AP Photo
    Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, wave from the Capitol steps as former Vice President Mike Pence's motorcade departs. AP Photo
  • US President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential inauguration in Washington. Reuters
    US President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential inauguration in Washington. Reuters
  • US President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington. Bloomberg
    US President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington. Bloomberg
  • Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States as his spouse Jill Biden holds a bible on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, DC. Reuters
    Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States as his spouse Jill Biden holds a bible on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, DC. Reuters
  • Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AP
    Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AP
  • Social distancing audience during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Reuters
    Social distancing audience during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Reuters
  • Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem at the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. AFP
    Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem at the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. AFP
  • Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem as US Vice President Mike Pence and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris look on. Reuters
    Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem as US Vice President Mike Pence and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris look on. Reuters
  • From left: Doug Emhoff, US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, incoming US First Lady Jill Biden, US President-elect Joe Biden arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th US President at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP
    From left: Doug Emhoff, US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, incoming US First Lady Jill Biden, US President-elect Joe Biden arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th US President at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP
  • Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden. AP Photo
    Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden. AP Photo
  • Former US President Bill Clinton arrives with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the US Capitol. AFP
    Former US President Bill Clinton arrives with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the US Capitol. AFP
  • Former US President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the US Capitol. Reuters
    Former US President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the US Capitol. Reuters
  • Family members of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the US Capitol. AFP
    Family members of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the US Capitol. AFP
  • The view from the podium where Joe Biden will speak after being sworn-in during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. EPA
    The view from the podium where Joe Biden will speak after being sworn-in during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. EPA
  • Flags decorate the "Field of Flags" at the National Mall near the Washington Monument ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. AFP
    Flags decorate the "Field of Flags" at the National Mall near the Washington Monument ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. AFP
  • President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden attend a church service before his presidential inauguration at St Matthews Catholic Church in Washington. Reuters
    President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden attend a church service before his presidential inauguration at St Matthews Catholic Church in Washington. Reuters
  • President-elect Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff attend a church service before his presidential inauguration at St. Matthews Catholic Church. Reuters
    President-elect Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff attend a church service before his presidential inauguration at St. Matthews Catholic Church. Reuters
  • The West Front of the US Capitol is prepared for the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, DC. AFP
    The West Front of the US Capitol is prepared for the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, DC. AFP
  • US singer Lady Gaga arrives for the inauguration of Joe Biden as US President in Washington, DC. EPA
    US singer Lady Gaga arrives for the inauguration of Joe Biden as US President in Washington, DC. EPA
  • Supporters hold American flags as Air Force One, carrying US President Donald Trump, departs during a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Bloomberg
    Supporters hold American flags as Air Force One, carrying US President Donald Trump, departs during a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Bloomberg
  • President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave to a crowd as they board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base. AP Photo
    President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave to a crowd as they board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base. AP Photo
  • President Donald Trump speaks to crowd before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base. AP Photo
    President Donald Trump speaks to crowd before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base. AP Photo
  • The sun rises behind the US Capitol as preparations are made prior to the 59th inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington. AFP
    The sun rises behind the US Capitol as preparations are made prior to the 59th inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington. AFP