According to audience data supplied by Nielsen, Donald Trump’s second Presidential inauguration averaged 24.6 million viewers across 15 networks (network list is below). The live coverage varied by network; the inauguration events ran from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (ET) on Monday. Viewership peaked at 34.4 million viewers during the 12:15 PM quarter-hour. As usual, with news events, the audience was dominated by older viewers. According to Nielsen, adults 55+ averaged 17.4 million viewers, more than 70% of the total audience. Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 had an average audience of 30.6 million viewers.

In 2021 the inauguration of Joe Biden, after a riotous political season and the pandemic with stay-at -home mandates averaged 33.8 million. Because of the pandemic the festivities were scaled back. Additionally, 2021 marked the first inauguration Nielsen included CTV and out-of-home viewing to the audience figure.

Similar to previous inaugurals, Nielsen’s audience numbers do not include streaming which continues to grow as a video source. According to Nielsen’s monthly Gauge report, in December 2024, streaming accounted for a record 43,3% share of all video usage. YouTube also recorded a record high share of 11.1%. The inclusion of streaming would, in all probability, increase the audience of the inauguration.

Often times, the swearing-in of the President for a second term generates a lower audience than the initial inaugural. For example, the audience for the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all delivered a lower audience than the first. Only Richard Nixon’s second inaugural, in 1973, produced more viewers than the first inauguration. (see list below)

Donald Trump is only the second President to have two nonconsecutive inaugurations, joining Grover Cleveland (1885 and 1893). Also, because of the bitterly cold weather, Trump’s inauguration was only the second time the event was held indoors. In 1985 Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural had been held indoors. Also, Trump’s inauguration coincided with Martin Luther King Day, a federal holiday which, since 1983, lands on the third Monday in January. The next year the two events will coincide will be in 2053.

Trump’s inaugural marks the fourth time the inauguration was held on MLK Day. Coincidentally, all four inaugurations were for a second term. In 1985 Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration on January 20 fell on a Sunday. There was a private swearing on that day, with a full day of events on the following day (held indoors). Bill Clinton’s second inauguration fell on MLK Day in 1997 with a swearing in and day full of events. (Trump’s second inauguration marked the second time.) Similar to Reagan, Barack Obama’s second inaugural fell on a Sunday with a private swearing in ceremony on the day followed by a day of public events.

Nielsen has been tracking the audience for Presidential inauguration since 1969. The most watched Inaugural was in 1981 when Ronald Reagan was first sworn in. The audience on that day averaged 41.8 million viewers. In addition, January 20 was a newsworthy day with the release of 52 U.S. diplomats held hostage for 444 days in captivity by Iran. On the other hand, the second inauguration of George W. Bush in 2005 was the least watched averaging only 15.5 million viewers.

AVERAGE AUDIENCE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATIONS
1969-2025
Avg. Aud.
Day Year President (in millions)
Mon 2025 Trump 24.6
Wed 2021 Biden 33.8
Fri 2017 Trump 30.6
Mon* 2013 Obama 20.6
Tue 2009 Obama 37.8
Thu 2005 G.W. Bush 15.5
Sat 2001 G.W. Bush 29.0
Mon 1997 Clinton 21.6
Wed 1993 Clinton 29.7
Fri 1989 G.H.W. Bush 23.3
Mon* 1985 Reagan 25.1
Tue 1981 Reagan 41.8
Thu 1977 Carter 34.1
Sat 1973 Nixon 33.0
Mon 1969 Nixon 27.0

January 20 each year except when noted
*Moved to January 21

The 15 reported networks in 2025 are: ABC, CBS, NBC, Merit Street Media, Telemundo, Univision, CNBC, CNN, CNNe, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, MSNBC, Newsmax, NewsNation, PBS.