Ep 5. Inauguration, Inc.

Inauguration, Inc. is the fifth episode of the first season of The Weekly. The episode focuses on the various businesses and industries who try to profit off of the United States’ presidential inauguration. The show investigates the behind-the-scenes workings of these businesses and the lengths they go to secure lucrative contracts and deals associated with the event.

The episode starts by examining the traditional items associated with inaugurations such as the parade, balls, and security arrangements. The show digs deeper to reveal the connection between these items and the companies that provide them. The show captures how companies scramble for a piece of the inauguration pie and explore the business dealings of the companies that run the events. The show aims to expose the potential greed and corruption that drive such companies and the associated risks.

The investigation then moves on to explore the burgeoning businesses, particularly beauty companies who look to capitalize on the celebrity endorsements surrounding the event. The show notes how businesses create unique product lines tapping into the individuals involved in the ceremonies while taking advantage of the media exposure of inauguration. The show interviews different business owners who provide various products and services related to the inauguration, such as dresses and makeup. They explain the tactics that they use to get celebrities to endorse their products and their experiences in negotiating contracts.

The perspective on this episode is also extended to the workers who are involved in the inauguration preparations. It depicts a humane side of the preparations where workers are subjected to extreme weather conditions and long working hours in putting together this historic event. It empathizes with the workers who work in less-than-ideal conditions for low wages in preparing the event. The show interviews individuals who work as groundskeepers and decorators, workers who often go unnoticed but spend countless hours ensuring that the event is successful.

The show then explores the seamier side of businesses aiming to profit from the inauguration event. The show delves into the area of lobbying and fundraising, primarily focusing on hawkish interest groups. The show highlights the efforts by certain groups who look to use the influx of donations to secure lucrative contacts after the inauguration is over. By taking millions in donations, these groups position themselves as gatekeepers, ensuring their clients are granted access to the incoming President and his administration.

Finally, the show concludes with the security preparations for the event. It reveals the intricate process of securing the incoming President in his brief walk to the Capitol and the challenges the security detail face. The show depicts the different agencies that work in tandem to ensure one of the most-watched events in the world goes on without a hiccup. The highly choreographed event involves several agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA.

In conclusion, the show raises critical questions concerning the commercialization of the presidential inauguration event. It exposes how businesses profit from one of the most significant events in the country, taking advantage of the hype generated by the media, politicians, and celebrities. It also highlights the workers and agencies that are often ignored in the preparations, exposing the sacrifices they make for one of the most historic events in the nation.