Cranky Transfer of Power: Our Trump Inauguration Round Up

Well, the 20th came and went, as did the apparently underwhelming number of Trump supporters, the well-heeled, the (non-boycotting) dignitaries, the protesters, an-all-too-visible group of anarchists, and also, the Obamas. If officials and the public held out hope that Trump’s inauguration address would be inclusive and lofty, the warmed over stump speech was short and it was antagonistic. In this cross-section of RTP posts from Instagram and Twitter, we left the aerial Obama-Trump attendance comparisons, the empty bleachers, the “make do” concert with the not-well-know performers, the awkward White House meeting of Trump and Trump and the Obamas, Michelle breaking character, the boredom of the Trumps at the Congressional luncheon, the race-baiting painting and the disproportionate number of photos of the burning limo all to posterity. Instead, we’ve focused on more atmospheric scenes, on personality and on the visible fissures that still remain now that the deed has been done and the Trump era has officially begun.

All bayonets from here on out 📷@samuelhodgson @nytimes #inauguration2017 pic.twitter.com/xhNvbvCPVA

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 22, 2017

The face of petulance. @somogettynews #inauguration2017 pic.twitter.com/BbaNyBA1UR

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 20, 2017

#2americas

📷@Graeme_rj #inauguration2017 #race #gender pic.twitter.com/Tyx6DkMqk9

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 21, 2017

The Rubicon. 📷Damon Winter #inauguration2017 via @nytimes slideshow https://t.co/qehWIfRfl3 pic.twitter.com/duKsZjg2xd

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 20, 2017

Characteristic down the line @alexwongcw @gettyimages #inauguration2017 pic.twitter.com/N4jCaDqU98

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 20, 2017

Part of compulsive need to keep selling fact that he won. Mouthing “My Way.” Not 1 grace note. 📷@evanvucci #LibertyBall #inauguration2017 pic.twitter.com/BEC9LOfGHo

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 21, 2017

Don’t know what you got till it’s gone. #Repost @leighvogel ・・・ #Obama #trump #biden #inauguration #president #bodylanguage #photojournalism #photography #barackobama #michelleobama #melaniatrump #marriage #couples #relationships #power #love #leadership #politics #rolemodels

A photo posted by Reading The Pictures (@readingthepictures) on Jan 20, 2017 at 2:57pm PST

After a scorched earth campaign, a nasty transition, and a then that dark, biting inauguration speech, the “peaceful transition of power” is feeling a bit asphyxiating. And that’s not mentioning the weather. #Repost @nina_berman ・・・ #inauguration2017 @noorimages @newrepublic

A photo posted by Reading The Pictures (@readingthepictures) on Jan 20, 2017 at 2:13pm PST

Telling metaphor for a transition that has been inescapably grim. Getting through the hoopla before the hammer comes down. #Repost @gdemczuk ・・・ A staff member pulls a group of balloons through the metal detector at the Hart Senate office building the day before Trump’s inauguration. #inauguration #trump #Authoritarianism #security #balloons #government

A photo posted by Reading The Pictures (@readingthepictures) on Jan 20, 2017 at 3:46pm PST