# Trump's vs. Obama's inauguration crowds, True, or False **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 20, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654 "2017-01-20T18:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/1 "2017-01-20T18:24:05Z")
[Side-by-side comparison of Obama’s and Trump’s inauguration crowds](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/comparison-president-trump-and-barack-obamas-inauguration-crowds/). The linked site says the 2017 photo was taken at 11:49 EST. Another site (Vox) says it was taken at 11:04 EST, and the 2009 photo was taken at 11:30 EST. I can believe there are fewer people in the 2017 photo, but I’m wary of internet memes. Is the comparison a true depiction of the audience? Or are the times inaccurate, or otherwise ‘cherry picked’? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/2 "2017-01-20T18:45:15Z")
The Vox photo is a different one from the PBS photo. Look at the crowds near the bend on the right, you can see the difference there. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/3 "2017-01-20T19:02:57Z")
Another stat, from CNN: > [@](#): > > Another sign attendance for Trump’s inauguration could be lower: Metro ridership. Per WMATA, the Washington area transit authority, as of 11 am, 193,000 trips had been taken on the city’s subway system. At the same hour in 2009, that number was 513,000, according to WMATA. The same time for the second Obama inauguration saw 317,000 riders, and President George W. Bush’s second inauguration saw 197,000 riders by 11 am. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/4 "2017-01-20T19:09:19Z")
I would not be surprised if Obama’s 2009 inauguration numbers were higher than even Bush II or Clinton’s, never mind Trumps. Obama was a charismatic candidate who had a large devoted following, especially amongst minority and younger voters, both of whom came out in unprecedented numbers to support him. I was in London at the time and the day of the inauguration was a party atmosphere in Central London with people watching the proceedings on giants screens, in pubs etc. I can only think the enthusisam was much greater in the US. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/5 "2017-01-20T20:00:37Z")
I can confirm the international aspect of the enthusiasm. A friend was in South America at the time and said the crowds were ecstatic. Remember, of course, that not only was Obama a charismatic candidate and one whose platform was exciting and enticing to many people, he was following an immensely unpopular presidency at a very precarious moment. Say what you will about his shortcomings and failures, (thanks, Mr. McConnell et al) his crowds reflected what many in the U.S. needed at that time - real hope and change. While many Americans may be disillusioned about the functioning of their governments, Obama was far from the disaster that Bush was and the crowds today probably reflect some of that. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/6 "2017-01-20T20:22:04Z")
I have nothing to add except this picture which not only shows that in this particular area it was not shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and a very succinct protest sign. [https://twitter.com/Josh\_Barrage/status/822502646863036417/photo/1?ref\_src=twsrc^tfw](https://twitter.com/Josh_Barrage/status/822502646863036417/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/7 "2017-01-20T20:26:04Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Another stat, from CNN: Yeah, that just means that Obama supporters used public transportation; Trump voters came in their limousines! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/8 "2017-01-20T20:33:53Z")
You misspelled “personal jets”. Or “pickup trucks”. Clearly at least one of those two groups will be disappointed over the next 4 years. I wonder who it’ll be? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/9 "2017-01-21T09:58:36Z")
The photos come from the Dept of Interior, which has now had its twitter account shut down. > **[Interior Department reactivates Twitter accounts after shutdown following...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/20/interior-department-banned-from-twitter-after-retweet-of-smaller-than-usual-trump-inauguration-crowd/?hpid=hp_rhp-bignews3_twitterban-1151pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.9dfb4973a3ef)** > > A shared tweet about crowd sizes apparently made someone at the Interior Department nervous enough to stand down dozens of official Twitter accounts. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/10 "2017-01-21T14:21:25Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > The photos come from the Dept of Interior, which has now had its twitter account shut down. > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/20/interior-department-banned-from-twitter-after-retweet-of-smaller-than-usual-trump-inauguration-crowd/?hpid=hp\_rhp-bignews3\_twitterban-1151pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm\_term=.9dfb4973a3ef](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/20/interior-department-banned-from-twitter-after-retweet-of-smaller-than-usual-trump-inauguration-crowd/?hpid=hp_rhp-bignews3_twitterban-1151pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.9dfb4973a3ef) Actually it says the Park Service Twitter account \*\* retweeted\*\* the picture from CNN. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/11 "2017-01-21T14:49:41Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Actually it says the Park Service Twitter account \*\* retweeted\*\* the picture from CNN. You’re right, I was mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/12 "2017-01-21T14:58:03Z")
[Only 450 bus permits were requested compared to 3000 for Obama’s inauguration.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2017/live-updates/politics/live-coverage-of-trumps-inauguration/450-charter-buses-have-permits-for-trump-inaugural-1800-are-registered-for-womens-march/?utm_term=.4ea21c82ae30) Warning: Link not from Breittbart, so probably fake news. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/13 "2017-01-21T17:22:42Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > The photos come from the Dept of Interior, which has now had its twitter account shut down. > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/20/interior-department-banned-from-twitter-after-retweet-of-smaller-than-usual-trump-inauguration-crowd/?hpid=hp\_rhp-bignews3\_twitterban-1151pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm\_term=.9dfb4973a3ef](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/20/interior-department-banned-from-twitter-after-retweet-of-smaller-than-usual-trump-inauguration-crowd/?hpid=hp_rhp-bignews3_twitterban-1151pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.9dfb4973a3ef) Thus the reason there are significantly fewer people there! 'Tis a protest my friend! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/14 "2017-01-21T17:30:12Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > Thus the reason there are significantly fewer people there! 'Tis a protest my friend! I straight up don’t understand what you’re trying to say. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/15 "2017-01-21T17:35:18Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > [Only 450 bus permits were requested compared to 3000 for Obama’s inauguration.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2017/live-updates/politics/live-coverage-of-trumps-inauguration/450-charter-buses-have-permits-for-trump-inaugural-1800-are-registered-for-womens-march/?utm_term=.4ea21c82ae30) Warning: Link not from Breittbart, so probably fake news. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was accurate, if you’re talking about Obama’s first inauguration; there would have been a considerable number of people who wanted to witness the first African-American being sworn in as President firsthand. It also wouldn’t be that surprising if Obama’s second inauguration had more people there than Trump, given that it was held not only on a holiday, but the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at that. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/16 "2017-01-21T17:39:44Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised if it was accurate, if you’re talking about Obama’s first inauguration; **there would have been a considerable number of people who wanted to witness the first African-American being sworn in as President firsthand.** > > It also wouldn’t be that surprising if Obama’s second inauguration had more people there than Trump, given that it was held not only on a holiday, but the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at that. Meaning they would have to take the day off. Trump supporters had the same chance. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/17 "2017-01-21T18:19:47Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I straight up don’t understand what you’re trying to say. This may help… See “Denial” definition… [http://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-mechanisms.html](http://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-mechanisms.html) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/18 "2017-01-21T18:21:50Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > This may help… > > See “Denial” definition… > [Defense Mechanisms In Psychology Explained (+ Examples)](http://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-mechanisms.html) Your in GQ, stop being cute. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/19 "2017-01-21T18:24:49Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Your in GQ, stop being cute. I’m quite serious! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/20 "2017-01-21T18:32:49Z")
Just what do you think anyone is denying? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654.md?page=2)