Franklin Graham and a famous car are among the NC connections to Trump’s inauguration
Many North Carolinians didn’t want to miss the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, and some of the state’s residents like evangelist Franklin Graham and the family of NASCAR legend Richard Petty have outsized roles in the moment.
Jason Simmons, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, said hundreds of people from the state made their way to Washington for the event. Every time he turned around, he said, he learned about a new group, a new bus trip or individuals who were attending.
“Coming off a historic election, people are really enthused,” Simmons told McClatchy Thursday. “And we see tremendous excitement across North Carolina.”
He was already in Washington during the interview and said he was looking forward to a weekend of events leading up to the inauguration of Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Weekend of events
Official events included a dinner for incoming Cabinet members, a fireworks show in Sterling, Virginia, a victory rally at Capitol One Arena, a parade and three balls.
Early estimates expected more than a quarter-of-a-million people to gather in Washington, and those who couldn’t attend the official events had other opportunities around the city.
There were spin-off balls, including the North Carolina Society’s. Around Washington , advertisements on bus stops explain where to get last minute ballgowns and tuxedos.
Local restaurants and bars offered inauguration-themed food and specials, staying true to Washington tradition during large political events.
And it all culminated in Trump taking the oath of office, followed by his inaugural address.
North Carolina native Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick for secretary of education, was in the rotunda to watch him.
Early in the wide-ranging speech, Trump criticized the response to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.
“Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina — been treated so badly,” Trump said.
Change in plans
Originally, Trump’s inauguration was meant to be held on the west side of the Capitol, facing the National Mall. A stage was built, security fencing and barricades put up throughout the city and infrastructure put in place to support the vast amount of people gathering outside.
But on Friday, Trump announced his inauguration would be moved inside the Capitol rotunda due to inclement weather.
In the days leading up to Trump’s decision, a snow storm threatened to dump 1 to 3 inches of snow over Washington on Sunday, though the totals fluctuated throughout the week. Temperatures were also forecast to remain in the low 20s.
“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way,” Trump posted on social media Friday. “It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s, and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th.”
He added that President Ronald Reagan made the same decision in 1985, when his inauguration had similar temperatures.
Trump told a group of guests who couldn’t fit into the rotunda but were still invited to watch the inauguration on screens in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center that at first he thought he “blew it” with his decision.
“Then I went outside and we were freezing,” Trump said. “You would have been very unhappy. The sun was very deceptive, I will tell you.”
Inside the Capitol Visitor Center were governors, spouses of lawmakers, podcasters and YouTubers. They cheered for past presidents of both major parties, but especially for Trump.
The general public was told to gather at Capital One Arena in Washington, where the Wizards and Capitals play, to watch the inauguration and the presidential parade. Trump planned to join the crowd there after being sworn in.
Franklin Graham
But before the swearing in, Graham was on hand to offer one of several invocations at the inauguration.
“Mr. President, the last four years, there are times I’m sure you thought it was pretty dark,” Graham said before his prayer. “But look what God has done.”
Graham is the son of famed Rev. Billy Graham and the leader of Samaritan’s Purse, a humanitarian aid organization headquartered in Boone.
Graham’s father was known as “the pastor of presidents,” having relationships with every administration from World War II until his death in 2018.
Graham, the son, and Trump have had a long friendship. He offered a prayer during Trump’s first inauguration and during the Republican National Convention last summer, just days after Trump was shot in the ear in an attempted assassination.
Graham told the crowd that God “spared” Trump’s life.
Richard Petty
Petty’s legacy will also be honored during the inauguration, with his 1970 Plymouth Superbird being part of the inaugural parade.
Petty has been a longtime supporter of Trump’s and the Republican Party.
Rebecca Petty Moffitt said the family still owns one of Petty’s Superbirds. She and her husband plan to drive her father’s car in the parade, and a few other members of the family are planning to attend, including grandchildren.
“We are very proud and honored to have been asked to be a part of this historic event,” Petty Moffitt said in a text message to McClatchy. “We think it’s a great way to keep the Petty’s relevant and represent North Carolina and NASCAR.”
Showmanship
Simmons said he wasn’t sure if any other North Carolinians would play a role in the inauguration events, but he does expect surprises throughout the day.
“I know the president is one that appreciates, kind of, the showmanship,” Simmons said.
He said those surprises could be politicians, businessmen or others who want to be involved in Trump’s inauguration.
Hostages
The families of the seven American hostages still held by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, also planned to attend the inauguration. That includes the family of North Carolina native Keith Siegel, who has spent more than 470 days in captivity.
Siegel is expected to be released as part of a cease-fire deal struck between Israel and Hamas.
His wife, Aviva Siegel was, held for 51 days prior to being released during a separate ceasefire deal. She’s been fighting ever since for her husband’s release.
Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis and Reps. Don Davis and Kathy Manning helped push for Siegel’s release.
Congressional plans
Budd and Tillis both planned to attend the inauguration, according to their spokespeople. In fact, nine of North Carolina’s 16 members of Congress said they would be there.
Reps. Davis, Greg Murphy, Valerie Foushee, Virginia Foxx, Addison McDowell and David Rouzer’s offices did not respond to a request asking if they would be there.
But Davis and Foxx were in Emancipation Hall following Trump’s inaugural speech in the rotunda.
Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican from Flat Rock, was among the members who planned to attend.
“With a unified government, we have a rare opportunity to make lasting changes that will better the lives of the American people and fix how Washington works,” said Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican from Flat Rock, in an email to McClatchy. “I look forward to ushering in a new era for our nation, beginning with attending the inauguration ceremony of President Trump on January 20.”
Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat from Raleigh, said she would not be there.
“I have helped over 100 constituents receive tickets to attend,” Ross said in an email to McClatchy. “I will be attending events to honor Martin Luther King Jr. in my district this weekend.”
A constitutional amendment in 1933 changed Inauguration Day from March 4 to January 20. The federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. wasn’t officially celebrated until 1986, making President Bill Clinton the only other person to be inaugurated on the holiday, which falls on the third Monday of January each year.
North Carolina Society Ball
Ahead of Monday’s inauguration, the North Carolina Society, a nonpartisan group of North Carolinians now living or working in Washington, held its quadrennial North Carolina Inaugural Ball downtown.
Greg Steele, president of the North Carolina Society, said every four years, North Carolinians get together in Washington to celebrate the presidential inauguration with a ball. Members of the congressional delegation and statewide elected officials were expected to attend.
“The North Carolina Society is proud to once again host an inaugural ball to celebrate our state’s rich contributions to our country,” Steele said in an emailed statement. “As one of the oldest state societies in Washington, we look forward to welcoming North Carolinians of all backgrounds to our nation’s capital this week and thank our sponsors who have made this event and programs throughout the year possible.”
The North Carolina Society Ball comes with a steep price tag and sold out quickly, but the North Carolina Republican Party advertised on Instagram that they reserved a block of hotel rooms and tickets to the ball for people still looking.
“It’s a great opportunity for North Carolinians to be able to gather and to celebrate,” Simmons said of the ball.
New administration
Simmons said he was excited to watch Trump’s inauguration and be part of history. He said it’s the same feeling shared by people from the state and across the country who came to Washington to witness the event.
Simmons said Trump’s election has made people excited for the future direction of the country.
“You’ve really seen what is going to be a turning of the page of these last four years, and what I think a lot of people felt was just a real frustration with the direction of our country” under Democratic President Joe Biden, Simmons said. “So you’re going to see just optimism and people being able to feel like an American Dream is once again alive.”
This story was originally published January 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
