Trump Second Most Watched Inauguration Since Ronald Reagan

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1 min read
January 23, 2017

WASHINGTON,DC-Even though the media continues to mock President Donald Trump, Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway for their high ratings claims on Friday, Nielsen ratings released this weekend for the historic event show it was the second most watched presidential inauguration since Ronald Reagan took office in 1981.

“An estimated 31 million people tuned in to watch Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017,” Nielsen said in a statement this weekend.  “While coverage varied by network, 12 networks aired live coverage from approximately 10:00 am ET to 6:00 pm ET.”

Reagan’s inauguration was the most watched inauguration ever, with 41.8 million viewers, according to Nielsen.    Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration had 37.7 million viewers, but his second inauguration in 2012 dropped to just 20.5 million viewers.

Trump beat both of Bill Clinton’s inaugurations and all of the Bush family inaugurations.

1981 – Ronald Reagan – 41.8m
1985 – Ronald Reagan – 25m
1989 – George H.W. Bush – 23.3m
1993 – Bill Clinton – 29.7m
1997 – Bill Clinton – 21.5m
2001 – George W. Bush – 29m
2005 – George W. Bush – 15.5m
2009 – Barack Obama – 37.7m
2012 – Barack Obama – 20.5m
2017 – Donald Trump – 30.6m

 

 

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

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