President Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office and became 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, and Utica students shared different opinions on his latest inauguration and how it was different from past ceremonies. 

Trump’s inauguration was supposed to be held outside the U.S. Capitol, with viewing areas stretching along the National Mall for supporters. However, cold winds relocated the swearing in ceremony inside the Capitol building. 

Some students, including Brothers On a New Direction President Xavier Moore, said Trump’s inauguration was unprofessional and “felt like a pony show.” 

Others noticed from other past inaugurations that there weren’t any wage earners present in the front row. Instead, the row was full of rich people, or as Moore said “littered with billionaires.” 

While some disapproved of his inauguration, others supported it, including Utica University student and Senator Class of 2027 Jerry Almas. Almas said the U.S. needs  a proper leader.

 “We need a backbone and (Trump) will deliver,” Almas said. 

Almas said Trump’s presidency is good for all Americans and “it could be a victory” because he will go back to his original policies. Many believe Trump will live up to his word and turn America around.

 While some view Trump’s second term with optimism, others brought up concerns, especially regarding Elon Musk, who recently made what looked like a Nazi hand signal during a Jan. 20 speech celebrating the inauguration. 

“When I saw a billionaire do a heil salute, it was very unsettling,” Moore said. 

Although a lot of Americans believed Musk’s salute was inappropriate, Almas said because  he has a large following and “since he is a billionaire, all people will target him,” believing it was a misunderstanding.