# 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:** 2
**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, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/21 "2017-01-21T18:38:55Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Just what do you think anyone is denying? That there were significantly fewer people at the Trump inauguration than inaugurations for other presidents. The picture clearly shows this. To not believe this or not understand this is the psychological mechanism of “denial”. Or it is Russian propaganda being spread here. One or the other! ---
**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, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/22 "2017-01-21T19:13:22Z")
Oh, OK. While I’m sure that there’s someone somewhere denying that, I don’t think that any of them are in this thread, or even directly referenced here. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/23 "2017-01-21T20:35:01Z")
> [@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. It was, however, cold as fuck. It was very warm for Trump’s. Some people might blame it on the rain, but it was the mildest of rain. I wouldn’t have bothered with a rain jacket let alone umbrella or poncho. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/24 "2017-01-21T20:56:48Z")
Remember all the people who, in response to Trump’s campaign rallies’ size comparison to Hillary’s, said “who cares?”. Yes, Barack Obama’s inauguration crowds were bigger. Pretty obviously. What else would you expect - people wanted to say they were at the inauguration of the first black President, obviously. 2017 Trump - 250K? 500K? Hard to find any estimates anywhere. 2013 Obama - 1,000,000 2009 Obama - 1,800,000 2005 Bush - 400,000 2001 Bush - 300,000 1997 Clinton - 250,000 1993 Clinton - 800,000 1989 Bush - 300,000 ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/25 "2017-01-21T20:59:29Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Remember all the people who, in response to Trump’s campaign rallies’ size comparison to Hillary’s, said “who cares?”. > > Yes, Barack Obama’s inauguration crowds were bigger. Pretty obviously. What else would you expect - people wanted to say they were at the inauguration of the first black President, obviously. > > 2017 Trump - 250K? 500K? Hard to find any estimates anywhere. > > 2013 Obama - 1,000,000 > 2009 Obama - 1,800,000 > 2005 Bush - 400,000 > 2001 Bush - 300,000 > 1997 Clinton - 250,000 > 1993 Clinton - 800,000 > 1989 Bush - 300,000 And why wouldn’t people want to be at the inauguration of the first American president without any governing or military experience? ---
**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 21, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/26 "2017-01-21T21:02:25Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > … > 2017 Trump - 250K? 500K? Hard to find any estimates anywhere. > > 2013 Obama - 1,000,000 > 2009 Obama - 1,800,000 > 2005 Bush - 400,000 > 2001 Bush - 300,000 > 1997 Clinton - 250,000 > 1993 Clinton - 800,000 > 1989 Bush - 300,000 It seems the Ds are better draws over an almost 30 year sample. Why is a different matter. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/27 "2017-01-21T21:20:21Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > It seems the Ds are better draws over an almost 30 year sample. Why is a different matter. Democrats are all on the welfare and don’t have jobs to go to, so they show up to thank the guy who gives them free money. JOKING!!! ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/28 "2017-01-21T22:01:26Z")
Prob worth bearing in mind Trump’s demographics don’t live around the corner in DC or other relatively nearby population centres. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/29 "2017-01-21T22:09:38Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Prob worth bearing in mind Trump’s demographics don’t live around the corner in DC or other relatively nearby population centres. Yes. ~250K voted for Obama (and Clinton) in DC (vs \<20K for Republican) ~1.6M voted for Obama (and Clinton) in MD (vs ~900K for Republican) ~4.5M voted for Obama (and Clinton) in NY (vs ~2.8M for Republican) All places with easy access to DC. ---
**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 21, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/30 "2017-01-21T22:41:22Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > It seems the Ds are better draws over an almost 30 year sample. Why is a different matter. Their parties are more fun. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/31 "2017-01-21T23:25:13Z")
Trump’s own expectations were high: > [@](#): > > Donald J. Trump ✔ ‎@realDonaldTrump > > Well, we all did it, together! I hope the “MOVEMENT” fans will go to D.C. on Jan 20th for the swearing in. Let’s set the all time record! > 11:03 AM - 16 Dec 2016 [How Many People Will Attend Trump’s Inauguration? Why to Take Turnout Estimates With a Grain of Salt – NBC4 Washington](http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Trump-Inauguration-Crowd-Estimates-410559995.html) Given the modest numbers that actually showed, Trump and his staff may be expending time and energy trying to re-interpret the facts into a shape more to Trump’s liking. Judging from past efforts (e.g. their comments on polls) they will probably succeed. (The link is to an article posted January 13–it has some interesting information on the question of how crowd sizes are estimated.) ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/32 "2017-01-21T23:30:55Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > 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. I don’t think it had much to do with Obama’s charisma. This was a momentous and historic occasion, the first black President. That was the reason for the massive crowds, everyone wants to be part of history. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/33 "2017-01-22T01:47:40Z")
PBS has [a time lapse video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdantUf5tXg) of the Mall throughout the day which shows that – unless another million people showed up and then very promptly left between shots – the crowd sized stayed pretty anemic throughout the day. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/34 "2017-01-22T01:57:46Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > PBS has [a time lapse video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdantUf5tXg) of the Mall throughout the day which shows that – unless another million people showed up and then very promptly left between shots – the crowd sized stayed pretty anemic throughout the day. Estimates for expected size are between 700-900 thousand, which is pretty respectable, compared to previous presidents. Of course still half of what Obama got in his first inauguration. It’s about the same size as Clinton’s first inauguration. How many actually came is another story. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/35 "2017-01-22T03:11:11Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Estimates for expected size are between 700-900 thousand Estimated _planned_ attendance was [in that range](http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Trump-Inauguration-Crowd-Estimates-410559995.html) (between Homeland Security and the Congressional inaugural committee) but the event was pretty obviously over-planned based on the amount of empty space meant to hold crowds. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/36 "2017-01-22T03:27:30Z")
I went downtown Friday and I can confirm the crowd was… not impressive. It was pretty pathetic for such an event. Nothing remotely close to the crowd today. There were a _ton_ of people out and around during the inauguration, but I saw almost nothing but protesters. We went around all over downtown throughout the day; along the parade route it was practically deserted. Those photos of empty bleachers, totally accurate. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/37 "2017-01-22T04:03:23Z")
I don’t know why we’re comparing Trump to Obama. Obama’s first inauguration was a historic event. Trump’s, not so much. But even George W. Bush’s first inauguration drew more people, according to CNN (however I note that CNN has a decisively liberal and anti-Trump bias). But I don’t know why we are talking about inauguration crowds at all. Or why Trump himself is drawing so much attention to the issue, which is a big nothing compared to the many problems this nation faces that deserve his attention more than this. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/38 "2017-01-22T05:05:09Z")
Another reason why Obama had such high attendance for both inaugurations was because unions all over the country were busing people in to show their support. About 40% of my union workplace in California went to one or the other inaugurations and I work at a pretty large workplace not to mention the fact we live on the other side of the country. I can’t imagine many workplaces or schools paying to have their employees/faculty show up to Trumps inauguration, maybe police unions but that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/39 "2017-01-22T05:31:00Z")
So the low attendance appears to have triggered the Crybaby in Chief. His press secretary flat out stated that it was the best attended inauguration ever despite the overwhelming evidence: [https://thinkprogress.org/trump-press-secretary-declares-war-on-the-press-and-reality-46fb1def9bfc#.28wxy0a6s](https://thinkprogress.org/trump-press-secretary-declares-war-on-the-press-and-reality-46fb1def9bfc#.28wxy0a6s) And then Trump spent 1/3 of his speech to the CIA complaining about how the media lied about the attendance claiming there was a million people there. [https://thinkprogress.org/trump-cia-speech-inauguration-crowd-size-5cc9a21a5220#.vcnuhg13d](https://thinkprogress.org/trump-cia-speech-inauguration-crowd-size-5cc9a21a5220#.vcnuhg13d) ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2017, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654/40 "2017-01-22T05:34:21Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > I don’t know why we’re comparing Trump to Obama. Obama’s first inauguration was a historic event. Trump’s, not so much. [Trump and his spokesman are unable to let it go.](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/21/us/politics/trump-white-house-briefing-inauguration-crowd-size.html?_r=0) Trump claimed 1.5 million showed up which is obviously not true. Spicer says it’s all a plot by the evil media. I think the clearly larger crowds for the women’s march today has got the POTUS seriously pissed off. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-vs-obamas-inauguration-crowds-true-or-false/777654.md?page=3)