From NC to D.C | Supporters of President Trump attend his inauguration: 'Together, we won'

Akilah Davis Image
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Triangle supporters of President Trump attend his inauguration in D.C.
The group from Wake Forest, N.C. spoke with ABC11 Eyewitness News from their hotel lobby in Alexandria, Virginia. They took the train up to D.C. on Saturday.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Wake Forest resident Donna Simon wouldn't have missed President Donald Trump's inauguration for the world.

"Hundreds of thousands of people are here. You can feel the excitement. It's palpable," said Simon.

She is in Washington D.C. with her friends Sandy Joiner who lives in Cary and Ravis Goddampally.

"We have our matching inauguration shirts. I don't know if you can see them. Ravi has his RNC shirt on," said Sandy Joiner.

The group spoke with ABC11 Eyewitness News from their hotel lobby in Alexandria, Virginia. They took the train up to D.C. on Saturday.

"He's the one that's mentally prepared to make America great again so that moment everyone wanted to share," said Goddampally.

The group said they were heading to an inauguration watch party at a restaurant for North Carolina residents. Eyewitness News asked what they would like to see Trump tackle during this term.

Triangle President Trump supporters in D.C. for inauguration day, Jan. 20, 2025
Triangle President Trump supporters in D.C. for inauguration day, Jan. 20, 2025

"He's going to secure the border," said Goddampally.

"Trump has 200 executive orders he's going to do," said Joiner.

Download the ABC11 App to get breaking news and weather 24/7

"There's so many things, but the economy is number one for me," said Simon.

Donna Simon is a former New Jersey lawmaker and has had the honor of meeting President Trump years ago. Both Joiner and Goddampally served as delegates at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin last year.

They spent hours canvassing and rallying support in North Carolina during campaign season.

"We are not the party of exclusion. We are the party of inclusion. Our tagline is 'Working Together, We Win. And Working Together, We Won," said Joiner.

They feel safe with the heavy police presence on the ground in D.C. They refused to let the bitter cold steal their joy as they witnessed Trump's second inauguration.

"Exhale, America," said Simon.

SEE ALSO | Reaction from across NC as President Trump lays out vision, plans for Executive Orders

WATCH | History of Inaugurations over the decades

A look at decades of traditions during presidential inaugurations.
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.