President Donald Trump and Melania Trump sent the crowd into a frenzy when they finally showed up at the commander-in-chief's inauguration ball on Monday night.
“This is quite a meeting, isn't it?” said the newly sworn-in president.
It was their first of three official stops.
The first lady debuted a black and white leggy dress.
They did their first slow dance to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, played by the United States Marine Band, before being joined on stage by Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha.
The couples then danced with members of the military, as is customary.
The Commander in Chief ball is dedicated to the six branches of the military, with many attendees wearing their dress uniforms. Thousands were in the room.
“Recruiting has skyrocketed in the last two months,” Trump boasted as he addressed the crowd.
The 47th president and Melania Trump were played by the Marine Band on the ornate stage of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center just before 10:30 p.m., several hours after they were initially expected to arrive.
They will go to the Liberty Ball and then the Starlight Ball before the official inauguration programming ends for the day.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the Commander-in-Chief Ball on Monday evening
President Donald Trump (left) pumped his fist as first lady Melania Trump (right) waved as they arrived at the first of three inaugural balls – the Commander in Chief ball – at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Monday evening
President Donald Trump (left) and first lady Melania Trump (right) danced to a rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic during the Commander in Chief Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Monday evening
The crowd began chanting at the sight of Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host who has been picked by President Donald Trump to be defense secretary. He stopped by to see his former Fox News colleagues and then took selfies with members of the public
Actor Jon Voight grimaces while attending the Commander-in-Chief's inaugural ball Monday night
Kid Rock showed up where Fox News was broadcasting with a drink and a cigar in hand, despite the Washington Convention Center being smoke-free
During the hours the Trumps were delayed, all the attention in the press section was focused on where Fox News was broadcasting.
The crowd cheered at the sight of ex-Fox weekend host Pete Hegseth, now Trump's pick for defense secretary, getting a hug from Fox News' Sean Hannity.
Hegseth jokingly declined an interview with CNN, which was broadcasting nearby, while taking selfies with attendees further down the line.
Actor Jon Voight was also in attendance, as was Kid Rock, who lit a cigar in the smoke-free venue. He also had what appeared to be a whiskey with him when he arrived on set with Hannity.
The three official balls were the best tickets in town for scoring, although a number of conservative groups also held their own parties throughout the weekend.
During Turning Point USA's Sunday night show, Kid Rock surprised the audience with an encore after appearing at Trump's victory rally earlier in the day.
He was followed by The Village People, who got the crowd going with MAGA classics Macho Man and YMCA.
TV chef Paula Deen, retired race car driver Danica Patrick, Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor, rapper Amber Rose and Fox News judge Jeanine Pirro appeared at the party alongside new Trump administration officials Alina Habba, Kash Patel and Sergio Gor.
Donald Trump Jr. and Vance joined Turning Point leader Charlie Kirk on stage.
Donald Trump Jr. (right) and his ex Kimberly Guilfoyle (left) appeared on stage together at the Hispanic Inaugural Ball on Saturday evening at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
His new girlfriend, Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, is photographed at Sunday evening's candlelight dinner at DC's ornate National Building Museum
Bettina Anderson (left) accompanied Donald Trump Jr. (right) on stage at Turning Point USA's Inaugural-Eve Bash with Village People and Kid Rock
The Village People perform as (from left) Alina Habba, Donald Trump Jr., judge Jeanine Pirro, Sergio Gor and Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA look on
Donald Trump Jr. (left) runs the YMCA alongside Bettina Anderson (second from left), Vice President JD Vance (center), Alina Habba (center right), and Sergio Gor (right)
Rapper Waka Flocka Flame will attend the Power 30 Awards event at Sax Restaurant & Lounge on Sunday, which was sponsored by TikTok, amid questions about the app's future in the US.
Snoop Dogg performed at the first-ever Crypto Ball held Friday evening in Washington, DC, ahead of President Donald Trump's inauguration
After The Village People's performance, YMCA Don Jr.'s new love Bettina Anderson joined him alongside the other MAGA VIPs.
Trump Jr. was forced to share the stage with his ex-fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle at Saturday night's Hisptanic gala. After their breakup was announced, the president appointed her ambassador to Greece.
The first son and his new girlfriend were also in attendance at the Crypto ball – which Guilfoyle was also in attendance.
That event – the first of its kind – brought rapper Snoop Dogg to town.
Across town, TikTok had sponsored the Power 30 Awards on Sunday at Sax Restaurant & Lounge, honoring conservatives who have excelled in online messaging, including House in Habit, Libs of TikTok, Ben Shapiro and those who created the Trump War Room managed account.
Rappers Waka Flocka Flame and Lil Pump were in attendance, and TiKTok handed out branded items, including fluffy earmuffs.
