President Donald Trump and Melania Trump sent the crowd into a tizzy when they finally showed up at the Commander in Chief inaugural ball Monday night.
‘This is quite a gathering huh?’ the newly sworn-in president said.
It was their first of three official stops.
The first lady debuted a white and black leggy dress, which was custom-made by Hervé Pierre, the same designer who crafted her 2017 inaugural gown.
They did their first slow dance to The Battle Hymn of the Republic played by the United States Marine Band before being joined onstage by Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha.
The couples then danced with members of the military, as is the custom.
The Commander in Chief ball is dedicated to the six branches of the military, with many attendees sporting their dress uniforms.
‘Recruitment numbers are through the roof for the last two months,’ Trump boasted as he addressed the crowd, which numbered in the thousands.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the Commander in Chief ball Monday night
Melania Trump (right) is spun by a servicemember at the Commander in Chief ball Monday night, as President Donald Trump (left) dances with a military member nearby. These dances are custom at the Commander in Chief ball
The 47th president and Melania Trump were played onto the ornate stage at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center by the Marine Band, right before 10:30 p.m., several hours after they were initially expected to arrive.
Before Trump left the stage he conversed with troops stationed in South Korea who popped up on the Jumbotron screens.
‘How are we doing over there. How’s Kim Jong Un doing?’ he said with a laugh.
During his first term he met with North Korean Leader Kim on three occasions but wasn’t able to finalize a denuclearization deal.
Trump then used a sword to cut into an Air Force One cake onstage – that was made to look like his design for the presidential aircraft that President Joe Biden scrapped.
‘I’m going to take a piece home with me,’ he said.
YMCA played as he started to depart, though he danced with the swords onstage before taking off.
‘The Secret Service is getting very nervous,’ Vance commented at the sight.
The United States Marine Band played on President Donald Trump (left) and first lady Melania Trump (right) at the Commander in Chief ball Monday night – the first of three official balls
President Donald Trump (right) and first lady Melania Trump (left) danced to a rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic Monday night at the Commander in Chief ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Vice President J.D. Vance (left) and second lady Usha Vance (right) appear onstage at the Commander in Chief ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Monday night
President Donald Trump cuts into a cake with a sword that looks like Air Force One – but with the color scheme the Republican had wanted for the new planes – something that was scrapped by President Joe Biden
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump took their first dance at the Commander in Chief ball Monday night at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
President Donald Trump (left) pumped his fist as first lady Melania Trump (right) waved as they arrived at the first of three inaugural balls – the Commander in Chief ball – at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Monday night
President Donald Trump (right) delivered brief remarks at the Commander in Chief Ball alongside (from left) Vice President J.D. Vance, Usha Vance and first lady Melania Trump
President Donald Trump (left) gestures to the crowd as he dances with first lady Melania Trump (right) at the Commander in Chief ball Monday night
The Trumps headed to the Liberty Ball and then the Starlight Ball before official inauguration programming ends for the day.
‘We needed three because we have such support,’ he explained onstage at the Liberty Ball.
Rascal Flatts played after the Trumps departed from the Commander in Chief ball while other musical acts – including Billy Ray Cyrus and Jason Aldean – kept audiences occupied as they awaited the president and first lady.
The president and first lady danced again to The Battle Hymn of the Republic at the Liberty Ball, which was also taking place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
At the Liberty Ball, however, the whole Trump clan came out onstage – including Tiffany Trump who was visibly showing off her baby bump.
They slow danced to Unchained Melody – before the band The Village People came out to again perform the MAGA classic YMCA.
The Village People also performed at the Sunday afternoon Trump victory rally – and again at Turning Point USA’s Inauguration-Eve ball.
The crowd started chanting at the sight of Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News anchor who’s President Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary. He stopped by to see his former Fox News colleagues and then took selfies with members of the crowd
Actor Jon Voight makes a face as he attends the Commander in Chief inaugural ball Monday night
Kid Rock showed up to where Fox News was broadcasting with a drink and a cigar in hand, despite the Washington Convention Center being smoke-free
During the hours that the Trumps were delayed, all attention was on where Fox News was broadcasting in the press section of the Commander in Chief ball.
The crowd started cheering at the sight of ex-Fox weekend anchor Pete Hegseth, now Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, who was given a hug by Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
Hegseth jokingly declined an interview with CNN, who was broadcasting nearby, as he took selfies with attendees down the line.
Trump later gave Hegseth a shout-out from onstage.
Actor Jon Voight was also on hand, as was Kid Rock, who lit up a cigar in the smoke-free venue.
He also carried what appeared to be a whisky as he got on-set with Hannity and other Fox guests.
The three official balls were the top tickets in town to score – though a number of conservative groups held their own fetes throughout the weekend as well.
