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United States President Donald Trump on Saturday promised the American people he will be ‘producing results’ and there will be no games as his work begins, with three glamorous black-tie balls bringing the curtains down on the day-long celebration of his inauguration as the next leader.
"We always felt we are going to do it. It’s a movement like they have never seen anywhere, anytime in the world. And now the work begins. There is no games. We are not playing games. The work begins. We love you, we are going to be working for you and we are going to be producing results,” Trump told a packed room at the Walter Washington Convention Centre as he and his wife Melania made their debut as the First Couple at the Liberty Ball.
The Trumps arrived at the Liberty Ball first where they performed their first dance to legendary American singer Frank Sinatra’s I Did It My Way. The traditional ‘First Dance’ by Trump and his wife concluded a historic and hectic day for the Trumps.
All eyes were on the designer his wife chose for her outfit at the glamorous balls. Melania, her hair left open, wore an off-shoulder cream gown by French-born designer Herve Pierre with a thigh-high slit and Trump was dressed in a classic tuxedo.
She had worn a powder-blue cashmere dress and matching bolero jacket by iconic American designer Ralph Lauren for the swearing-in ceremony, invoking the legacy of former First Lady Jackie Kennedy with her look.
In his brief remarks to the gathering at the ball before the First Dance, Trump said “Well, we did it. We began this journey and they said, we and me, we didn’t have a chance but
we knew we were going to win and we won. Today we had a great day,” he said.
In the second ball, Trump threw a question at the guests about his Twitter account. ‘Let’em ask you, should I keep the Twitter going or not. Keep it going? I think so,’ he shrugged as the guests laughed.
“The enemies keep saying ‘oh it’s terrible’. It’s a way of bypassing the dishonest media,” Trump said.
He also vowed, ‘We will not be taken advantage of anymore’ and ‘we are going to have those companies come pouring back in,’ a reference to corporations bringing back jobs and investments to the US.
Earlier in his first ball, Trump said people who weren’t so nice to him were now telling him he did really a good job.
"I respect that. The crowd was unbelievable today," he said and referring to the intermittent rain, he said, "It's like God was looking down on us."
He thanked his ‘number one supporter’ wife Melania saying ‘what she puts up with’.
"We really did something that is so special... You are going to see things happening over the next few weeks, you’ll be so happy. We want to see great things happen for our country. We want to make America great again and we will."
As Trump and his wife danced, he was joined on stage by Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen and all their children, including Ivanka, Don and Eric, with their spouses and partners.
Trump also lip-synced the words My way as the song was being played.
The Trumps attended the Freedom Ball, Liberty Ball at the Walter Washington Convention Center and ‘A Salute to Our Armed Services’ Ball at the National Building Museum.
The black-tie balls were attended by serving and retired military personnel as well as key guests of the Trumps.
At the second ball, Trump repeated it has been an 'amazing journey' and 'now the work begins. We have to get it done and we will get it done'.
He said he has 'worked these last four weeks' of the campaign and promised he will not let the American people down. "I would be fighting every single day for you."
Trump clapped at the end and waved as the crowd cheered and chanted USA! USA! He too repeated the chant and gave a thumbs-up.
At the third event, the Armed Services Ball, Trump spoke briefly through video link to US military personnel stationed at the Bagram Base in Afghanistan. The military personnel took turns to congratulate Trump on his inauguration. He told the military and law enforcement officials present at the ball the job they do is 'absolutely incredible'.
"I like you all for a lot of reasons but I also like the fact that you all voted for me," he said to a huge round of applause and cheers.
"We have a great country and we want to do what is appropriate. We have been pushed around by a lot of different people, lots of bad things are happening but you are going to see a big improvement," he said.
Referring to the approval by the Senate of General James Mattis as Secretary of Defence and General John Kelly as Homeland Security Secretary, Trump said 'with all the people and all the politicians, the Generals get approved first. May be that’s the way it’s supposed to be'.
Trump said his administration is with the military personnel 'all the way. You have somebody that's going to be right alongside of you. We are going to do it together'.
He said the courage the American armed forces have shown is 'incredible' and it will be 'appreciated more than ever before'.
"We are going to have some people going over and seeing you soon. We are with you a thousand, thousand, thousand per cent. Keep fighting and we are going to win."
Trump again pointed out there was a large turnout for his inauguration. "Did you hear the speech," he said referring to his inauguration address.
"You are special people. I have your back. We are going to do great things for our country. I am your messenger," he said.
Trump then called on his wife Melania to make a few remarks. She thanked the personnel for their service adding that “I am honoured to be your First Lady. We will fight, we will win and we will make America great again,” she said.
Trump and Pence then cut a multi-tiered cake decorated in military colours with a sword.