By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-22 00:11:53 | Updated at 2025-01-22 04:18:41
4 hours ago
Behind the scenes footage from Donald Trump's inauguration day has revealed how close his children - and grandchildren - really are.
From the president's youngest son Barron photobombing his half-sisters, to his eldest Donald Jr tearing up as he was sworn in, the 2025 inauguration was a family affair.
All five of the president's children - Donald Jr, 47, Ivanka, 43, Eric, 41, Tiffany, 31, and Barron, 18 - along with his granddaughter Kai, 17, were present for the ceremony and the celebratory events that followed.
Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric are Trump's eldest kids from his marriage with Ivana Trump, a Czechoslovakian fashion model and businesswoman who became a US citizen in 1988. She died in 2022.
Tiffany is the daughter of the president and his second wife, actress and model Marla Maples, while Barron is Trump's youngest son, shared with his current wife and First Lady Melania.
Barron photobombs his half-sisters
NYU student Barron hilariously photobombed his half-sisters - Ivanka and Tiffany Trump - and their sister-in-law Lara Trump as they posed for photographs in the US Capitol building ahead of the inauguration on Monday.
The 6-foot-9 tall teen snuck behind the group, in a moment caught by a Washington Post reporter.
The sneaky move prompted a laugh from Ivanka, 43, who swiveled around and playfully patted Barron on the back while saying: 'That's the best!'
Tiffany and Lara also turned around in shock and smiled at the surprise interjection.
Eric and Barron snap a selfie
Barron Trump, 18, and Eric Trump, 41, pose for selfie inside the U.S. Capitol Building during father's inauguration
In a post shared to Instagram, Donald's sons Eric Trump and Barron Trump posed for a selfie inside the U.S. Capitol Building - where the inauguration ceremony was moved to due to frigid outdoor temperatures.
Eric appeared to snap the photo with his front-facing phone camera while six-foot-nine Barron towered behind his older brother.
The second eldest Trump brother then posted the selfie to his 2.8 million Instagram followers.
Kai Trump shows off her dazzling look
Meanwhile, Donald Trump's granddaughter Kai Trump, 17, shared her dazzling look for the inaugural ball on Monday evening
Kai wore a shining silver ballgown to celebrate her grandfather's inauguration
Earlier in the day, Kai shared a sweet selfie with her brother, Donald Trump III
The President's 17-year-old granddaughter, Kai Trump, took to Instagram to share her dazzling look for the inaugural ball on Monday evening.
In photos and videos posted to her account, Trump's eldest grandchild sparkled in an off-white beaded gown with a corset bodice and thigh-high slit designed by Sherri Hill.
'Inaugural ball dance ready @sherrihill,' she captioned a video of herself showing off the dress.
Earlier in the day, the teen vlogger gave her YouTube subscribers an exciting behind-the-scenes glimpse of events leading up to Trump's inauguration.
In the vlog, Kai revealed that she had been given a number of Sherri Hill dresses for the busy weekend.
'This is Sherri Hill,' she said, showing off the gowns, which came in red, navy, and gold.
'She sent me some dresses and they're amazing. All my ball gowns are Sherri Hill.'
Lara Trump stops Eric making hand gesture
Eric Trump (left) caught the attention of conspiracy theorists after they spotted him making a specific hand gesture during his father's inauguration
Eric's wife Lara appeared to say something to him quietly during the ceremony, prompting him to change his hand placement
Later in the evening, the Trump children were all smiles as they celebrated the inauguration
Eric Trump caught the attention of conspiracy theorists after they spotted him making a specific hand gesture during his father's inauguration.
He placed his hands in an upside-down triangle-like formation which eagle-eyed viewers claim looks similar to the symbol for the Freemasons or the mysterious 'Illuminati'.
They also highlighted how Eric's wife Lara Trump appeared to mutter something to him before he abruptly changed his stance.
The incident in question occurred as the couple were lining up alongside President Donald Trump's other children inside the Capitol Rotunda where the ceremony was held on Monday.
Eric was taking his place on the right hand side of the podium where his father was sworn in when he made the gesture.
His wife then tapped him on the arm to get him to shuffle over and said something inaudible which caused him to drop his hands.
Donald Trump Jr tears up as his father is sworn in
Some observers said Donald Trump Jr. appeared to grow emotional during the swearing-in ceremony
Don Jr. hugs his father after he was sworn in on Monday in a historic ceremony
Don Jr ran through the widest possible range of emotions on Monday as his father was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
He first grinned as Donald Trump completed the oath of office.
Then as 'Hail to the Chief' rang around the Capitol's Rotunda and Joe Biden stepped forward to shake his father's hand, his eyes misted over and shone bright with tears.
His smile appeared to stiffen as if he was fighting back a wave of emotion as the proud son of a new president.
'Have you ever been more excited about a Monday? American strength is back,' he posted on X ahead of the ceremony.
Barron is praised as 'a true gentleman'
Barron's decision to share a handshake with President Biden and Vice President Harris was praised on both sides of the aisle
The president's teenage son gave the outgoing president and vice present firm handshakes after the swearing-in ceremony.
The gesture of peace led fans to praise the New York University freshman as 'a gentleman' and 'raised well.'
'[Melania] brought up a true gentleman wow I've never seen a classier 18 year old,' one person said.
'Smart young man. Knows his way around the room,' a second person said. 'He is very impressive & clearly, raised well,' a third said.
Later in the evening, the teenager's suave demeanor and apparent enjoyment of the limelight prompted people to speculate that he could one day follow in his father's footsteps and become president himself
The NYU freshman drew chants of 'Barron, Barron, Barron' at the Presidential Parade
Later in the evening, the teenager's suave demeanor and apparent enjoyment of the limelight prompted people to speculate that he could one day follow in his father's footsteps and become president himself.
Barron was close to his father as he was sworn in, and alongside the tech titans that Trump has welcomed into his vision for his second term.
The freshman at NYU took on a more mature role at the events this time around, as he was just 10 years old when Trump entered the White House the first time in 2017.
'There has been some talk that Barron might be next in line to the Trump political dynasty,' said Executive Politics Editor Kelly Laco in the latest episode of Welcome to Magaland: Inside Trump's second 100 Days.
'He was right behind his father... we might be able to see a little more of Barron and a more mature and more of a political role down the line.'
Exes were also on display - including Don Jr.'s Kimberly Guilfoyle
Kimberly Guilfoyle (pictured with son Ronan) was a guest at the presidential inauguration
Florida socialite Bettina Anderson, the woman who replaced Guilfoyle on Don Jr.'s arm, was also in attendance
Guilfoyle appeared after she was handed the Ambassador to Greece role in the new Trump administration as a consolation prize following her breakup with Don Jr.
Anderson stunned in a red Milly Park dress, Jimmy Choo shoes, and jewelry by Chopard and Hamilton at the inaugural balls
Kimberly Guilfoyle was a guest at the presidential inauguration - and so was his new partner Bettina Anderson - but it was the Palm Beach socialite who ended up floating in the arms of Donald Trump Jr. last night.
Despite her recent split with his son, President Trump's pick for ambassador to Greece Guilfoyle squeezed into the indoor swearing-in ceremony on Monday morning, seated towards the back of the audience.
Meanwhile, Bettina, 38, wearing a hounds-tooth Dolce and Gabbana suit, was in the crowd as well, a little more front and center.
Securing a place in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington DC was no small feat given the need to make room for the likes of tech movers and shakers Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Google's Sundar Pichai and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg.
One source told DailyMail.com that even some eight-figure donors had to be left out of the event.
However, Bettina was notably absent from the Presidential Inauguration Ball.
Instead, Donald Trump Jr, 47, walked onto the stage at the black-tie event with his 17-year-old daughter Kai - who is one of the five children he shares with ex-wife Vanessa.
Don Jr. dances with his kids
Donald Trump Jr dancing with his youngest daughter Chloe, whom he shares with ex-wife Vanessa, at the Inauguration Ball
Don Jr. also shared a dance with his daughter Kai at the Liberty Ball
Don Jr. stood proudly with three of his children on stage as they celebrated the occasion
As President Trump's other children were joined by their other halves, Donald Jr happily danced with his youngest daughter Chloe.
Chloe, who he shares with his ex-wife Vanessa, was seen happily twirling as she held her father's hand.
Meanwhile, Kai and her brother Donald III swayed on stage too.
Ivanka dresses like Audrey Hepburn
Ivanka Trump stole the show in a custom recreation of Audrey Hepburn's iconic 1954 couture gown
Ivanka danced on stage with her husband Jared Kushner at the Liberty Ball
Though Ivanka has said she doesn't plan to move back to Washington DC with her husband Jared Kushner, she stole the show on inauguration day in her white ballgown.
Ivanka stunned in a custom recreation of Audrey Hepburn's iconic 1954 couture gown.
The First Daughter took to the stage with her husband Kushner, 44, to share in a romantic dance during the Liberty Ball in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening.
The mother-of-three opted for the elegant, strapless white gown that contained a long flowing skirt and intricate black floral detailing.
The dress was a recreation of a Hubert de Givenchy's 1954 Haute Couture black-and-white gown that was originally designed for Audrey in the film Sabrina.
Ivanka's rep said that she was 'honored' to wear the gown and 'incredibly grateful for Arnault family and the Givenchy atelier for creating this masterpiece, capturing the original artistry and elegance with remarkable precision and craftsmanship.'
'Audrey Hepburn has long been a personal inspiration to Ivanka,' they added.
'She views it as a great privilege to honor her legacy in this way, and is incredibly grateful to the team at Givenchy for bringing this moment to life.'
Tiffany shows up despite being pregnant
Tiffany Trump appeared in high spirits despite being pregnant with her first child at the inauguration of her father
Tiffany largely stays out of politics, but showed her support for her father on Monday
At the inaugural ball later in the evening, Tiffany shared a smiling selfie with sister-in-law Lara
Tiffany is expecting her first child with her husband Michael Boulos, she announced last year.
Although she has been a constant support for her father, Tiffany largely stays out of politics.
During the 2024 Republican National Convention, she didn't appear on stage but went skiing instead.
