Donald Trump’s inauguration attracts 24.5 million viewers, down from 2021 and 2017
The numbers are in and a total of 24.589 million viewers watched President Donald TrumpMonday’s inauguration, according to Nielsen Media Research. That audience spanned 15 networks and peaked at 34.4 million during the 12:15 p.m. ET time frame when Trump was sworn in. (All times Eastern.)
Unsurprisingly, Fox News led the way in viewership. According to early numbers, FNC saw 10.3 million total viewers and two million viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This is Fox News’ second-best performance on Inauguration Day, behind his coverage of Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, which saw 11.768 million total viewers and 2.992 million demo viewers between 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.
As celebratory as Fox News’ numbers were, they were part of a larger audience decline felt by broadcast and cable news networks across the board. Audience down -27% compared to the former president Joe Bideninauguration in 2021 and -20% compared to Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.
Biden’s inauguration was watched by 33.760 million total viewers, with CNN attracting the largest audience with 9.994 million total viewers and 3,509 A25-54 viewers between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. In 2025, the network saw 1.7 million total viewers. and 534,000 spectators of the demo from 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
At a granular level, Fox News was up 276% in total viewers and +284% in the demo during the 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. period compared to 2021. It was the only network that experienced an increase in numbers in four years. There is. In contrast, CNN saw a decline of -83% in total viewers and -85% in A25-54 viewers compared to 2021, while MSNBC fell -87% in the former category and – 94% in the second during the same period.
Among the three broadcast networks, ABC News had the most viewers between 11:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., with 4.7 million total viewers and 1.1 million demo viewers. It was actually a close race between the three broadcast networks as they all recorded over four million total viewers. NBC News finished with 4.4 million total viewers (300,000 viewers behind ABC) and CBS News had 4.1 million (600,000 behind ABC).
But all three channels were down from 2021. ABC News fell -39% in total viewers and -54% in demo viewers; NBC is down -36% and -49% in these respective categories; and CBS News fell -32% in total viewers and -37% in the demo.
Fox News continued to reap the rewards of Trump’s return to power in prime time, dominating the 8-11 p.m. period with 6.1 million total viewers and one million A25-54 viewers. MSNBC was second in total viewers with 1.1 million, and CNN was third with one million. These positions were reversed in the demo, with CNN placing second with 269,000 A25-54 viewers and MSNBC attracting 93,000 viewers for a third place finish.
Compared to 2021, Fox News increased total viewers and A25-54 viewers by +90% and +78% in primetime. CNN fell -85% in total viewers and -89% in the demo, and MSNBC saw declines of -75% and -92% in those respective categories.
Here are the viewing figures for the different periods of Trump’s second inauguration.
NOTE: These are based on early figures from Nielsen and will be updated once final figures are released.
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
FNC: 10.3 million total viewers; 2 million A25-54
CNN: 1.7 million total viewers; 534,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 848,000 total viewers; 104,000 A25-54
ABC: 4.7 million total viewers; 1.1 million A25-54
CBS: 4.1 million total viewers; 907,000 A25-54
NBC: 4.4 million total viewers; 1.2 million A25-54
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
FNC: 10.6 total viewers; 2.1 A25-54
CNN: 1.7 total viewers; 536,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 882,000 total viewers; 536,000 A25-54
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FNC: 6.1 million total viewers; 1 million A25-54
CNN: 1 million total viewers; 269,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 1.1 million total viewers; 93,000 A25-54
