Donald Trump promises to unify Americans ahead of inauguration

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"I'm going to be cheering you on," Trump tells supporters.
US President-elect Donald Trump and his family take part in a Make America Great Again welcome concert in Washington, DC. PHOTO: REUTERS
US President-elect Donald Trump and wife Melania look at the Abraham Lincoln statue as they arrive for a welcome celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on Jan 19, 2017. PHOTO: AFP
Audience members sing during the 'Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration' for US President-elect Donald Trump on Jan 19, 2017. PHOTO: EPA
US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during the 'Make America Great Again' Welcome Celebration concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Jan 19, 2017. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
US Vice President-elect Mike Pence, with his wife Karen Pence, shakes hands with US President-elect Donald Trump next to incoming First Lady Melania Trump during the candlelight dinner at Union Station in Washington, DC, US, on Jan 19, 2017. PHOTO: EPA
US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during the candlelight dinner at Union Station in Washington, DC, US, on Jan 19, 2017. PHOTO: EPA
US President-elect Donald Trump and his campaign manager Kellyanne Conway (left) attend the candlelight dinner at Union Station in Washington, DC, US, on Jan 19, 2017. PHOTO: EPA

WASHINGTON (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BLOOMBERG) - President-elect Donald Trump told Americans on Thursday night (Jan 19) that he will "unify" the nation after a bruising election campaign, as he prepared for his inauguration the following day at the US Capitol.

"We're going to unify our country," Mr Trump told a crowd of thousands in front of the Lincoln Memorial after a pre-inauguration concert. "We're going to do things that haven't been done for our country for many, many decades," he added. "It's going to change. I promise you."

Mr Trump touched down on Thursday at Washington's Joint Base Andrews, about 24 hours before he was to be sworn in as the 45th US president. Mr Trump traded his personally branded Boeing 757 for a US Air Force version of the same plane, following the custom of a first flight to the nation's capital aboard a military aircraft.

The president-elect participated in a series of pre-inaugural rituals and celebrations, beginning with a reception at the Trump International Hotel he opened in downtown Washington last year.

The events are a run-up for his swearing-in at about noon on Friday (Jan 20).

"It is going to be a very humbling and moving day for the president-elect, his family and mine," Vice President-elect Mike Pence said at a briefing for reporters on Thursday. "We are ready to go to work. In fact, we can't wait to get to work for the American people."

In the afternoon on Thursday, Mr Trump travelled to Arlington National Cemetery, where he and Mr Pence laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of a ceremony honouring veterans.They then crossed the Potomac for a welcome ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Mr Trump's family was seated before the president-elect walked out with a musical backdrop of the Rolling Stones 1965 hit Heart of Stone. The event featured performances from artists including country music's Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood and the rock group Three Doors Down, but the line-up was limited. Numerous artists said they wouldn't take part in Mr Trump's inauguration.

Broadway singer Jennifer Holliday, who had been scheduled to perform, said earlier this week she had withdrawn from the event. "I did not take into consideration that my performing for the concert would actually instead be taken as a political act against my own personal beliefs and be mistaken for support of Donald Trump and Mike Pence," she said in an open letter posted to The Wrap.

US President-elect Donald Trump gestures during a welcome celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on Jan 19, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

Mr Trump has dismissed criticism that his inaugural events are light on talent. "Many of the celebrities that are saying they're not going, they were never invited," Mr Trump said in a Fox News interview on Wednesday. "I don't want the celebrities, I want the people, and we have the biggest celebrities in the world there."

In the evening, Mr Trump, Mr Pence and their spouses were expected to attend a black-tie inaugural dinner at Union Station. The main entrance to the transit hub was shut down in the morning in preparation for the event.

Mr Trump was expected to stay in Washington overnight ahead of Friday's inauguration. He and his wife Melania will have morning tea at the White House with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama before heading to Capitol Hill for the swearing-in. The Senate will vote on confirming at least two of Mr Trump's Cabinet secretaries on Friday afternoon, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday.

They include retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, who has been nominated to lead the Defence Department, and retired Marine Corps General John Kelly, who will lead the Homeland Security Department.

President-elect Donald Trump and family pose at the end of the inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Jan 19, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

The first piece of legislation Mr Trump signs into law may be a Bill allowing Gen Mattis to serve in the civilian position, which is required before he is confirmed.

"We have by far the highest IQ of any Cabinet ever assembled," Mr Trump said on Thursday at his hotel after landing. He complimented his nominees on their performances in confirmation hearings this week and last, calling his Attorney General-designate, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, "one of the legit stars".

Financier Steven Mnuchin, nominated by Mr Trump for Treasury secretary, is "right now getting grilled", Mr Trump said. "He's doing a fantastic job."

Mr Spicer has said Mr Trump will remain at the White House over the weekend, and his administration will begin in earnest on Monday (Jan 23) with a series of executive orders and actions.

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