Jeffrey Rosen interviews three contributors to the recently published compendium My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses, Michael Gerhardt, Kate Masur, and Ted Widmer. They reflect on President Trump’s second inaugural speech and discuss inaugural addresses throughout American history. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on Jan. 21, 2025.

Resources:

Yuvraj Singh and Ted Widmer, My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses (2024)
Martin Van Buren, Inaugural Address (March 4, 1837)
Donald Trump, Second Inaugural Address (Jan. 20, 2025)
Andrew Jackson, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1829)
Andrew Jackson, Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1833)
Grover Cleveland, Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1893)
Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1861)
Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1865)
Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1933)
John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address (Jan. 20, 1961)
Joe Biden, Inaugural Address (Jan. 20, 2021)

Stay Connected and Learn More

Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org
Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr.
Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.
Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen.
Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube.
Support our important work.

Donate

11/08: Start or Sit (NFC); Beat the Waiver Wire; LAC-OAK (Fantasy Football Podcast)