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Here's how Trump's expected inauguration crowd stacks up against Obama's
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Here's how Trump's expected inauguration crowd stacks up against Obama's

In an effort to garner enthusiasm for his inauguration next month, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his desire to set the all-time record for an inauguration, encouraging his most dedicated supporters to travel to D.C. and watch him get sworn in.

Trump tweeted last week:

But as he feuds with Hollywood A-listers on social media and stirs up negative publicity for performers offered a spot at his inauguration, planners of the event say Trump's inauguration attendance is severely lacking.

About 800,000 people are estimated to attend, which is less than half the attendance of President Barack Obama's 1.8 million supporters at his 2009 inauguration.

Presidential inauguration history expert Jim Bendat told McClatchyDC, "It's not even close to a record."

Luke Wiscombe, marketing director for an Arizona company who plans trips for bands and has experience with organizing inauguration performers said, "“Excitement and enthusiasm levels are down this year."

"With President Obama’s inauguration, there was a lot of interest,” he told reporters.

But D.C. area restaurants and hotels are hopeful for a solid turnout, with a recent study by George Mason University predicting a $1.4 billion boost to the D.C. economy because of the tourists visiting for the inauguration. The new Trump International Hotel in D.C. is already sold out.

Stephen Fuller, the economist responsible for the study, said, “The enthusiasm for Trump is far less, just because this was such a nasty political season, but this is a shot in the arm."

He added, "And it’s particularly important in January, which has the lowest occupancy rates for hotels. People aren’t going out to eat as much, and the weather’s miserable.”

Construction on the 10,000 square foot 2017 Inaugural Platform began on Sept. 21, 2016 and will hold more than 1,600 people on January 20.

 

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BlazeTV Host
Sara Gonzales is the host of “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered.”
SaraGonzalesTX
Sara Gonzales

Sara Gonzales

BlazeTV Host

Sara Gonzales is the host of “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered.”
@SaraGonzalesTX →

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