Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, and Katy Perry were among the stars who gathered last night for a star-studded primetime TV special to mark US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris’s inauguration day.
Actresses Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington, and singers Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Jon Bon Jovi, and John Legend also took part in the event, which was hosted by Hanks, who is seen as beloved across America’s polarised political spectrum.
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Celebrating America was broadcast across numerous networks and streamed online and saw Hollywood and the US music world perform for the new president after largely shunning, ridiculing, and actively campaigning against the Trump administration over the past four years.
Musical choices last night included Lovely Day, Feeling Good, Here Comes The Sun, Times Like These and Land Of Hope And Dreams, which chimed with the primetime special’s theme of a new dawn in America.
Hamilton creator and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda read poet Seamus Heaney’s work The Cure At Troy, a favourite piece of Biden, who has roots in Mayo and Louth, and who is well known for his love of Irish literature.
Speaking from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Hanks, who has played the American everyman in many of his films, said “the dream of America has no limit”.
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Biden and Harris, who made history as the first female vice-president, both delivered speeches during the 90-minute special, with the president issuing another call for unity against “common foes – hate, violence, disease and hopelessness, adding, “There is not anything we cannot do if we do it together.”
Former US Presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama also took part in the event.
Oscar-winner Hanks opened the show and said: “In the last few weeks, in the last few years, we have witnessed deep divisions and a troubling rancour in our land but tonight we ponder the United States of America.
“The practice of our democracy, the foundations of our republic, the integrity of our constitution, the hope and dreams we all share for a more perfect union.”
He said the presidential inauguration “marks the commitment” of a new four-year term, but added it is much more important than just welcoming a new leader.
He added: “This day is about witnessing the permanence of the American ideal.”
Addressing the traditional inauguration speech from the president, Hanks said: “If the words ring out it is not only due to the power of the oratory, it is because the dream of America has no limit.”
Foo Fighters performed their hit Times Like These after frontman Dave Grohl, whose mother was a teacher, paid tribute to the profession and said: “This year our teachers were faced with unprecedented challenges but through dedication and creativity they faced those challenges head on.”
Popstar Perry brought the curtain down on the show, performing her hit Firework as fireworks illuminated the sky behind her with Biden and his family watching on.