The inauguration of the 46th US President elect Joe Biden has been heralded by front pages across the UK today (Thursday January 21). 

Outgoing President Donald Trump was absent from the inauguration and most front pages as papers splashed the words of his successor’s vow to “end this uncivil war” upon entering the White House.

Nationals marked the moment with a mixture of sincerity and an upbeat look to the future, from the “Time for Unity” by the Times to the Daily Mail’s “Don’s gone… Let’s go Joe”.  

Titles from the UK’s nations and regions offered a reflection on the value of democracy with the Scotsman’s front page echoing the words of Democrat President Biden setting out his ambition to dismantle his predecessor’s policies at the inauguration held on Wednesday afternoon. 

The ceremony also saw the welcoming of Kamala Harris as the first female, Black and South Asian Vice President in office – the partnership celebrated by the Daily Mirror’s “A day of history… a day of hope” cover.

International editions of The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times on Wednesday took the image of Biden and Harris with their spouses standing by the Lincoln Memorial Reflection Pool to commemorate American lives lost to Covid-19. 

News magazines also kept to the presidential theme, with The New European’s cover reflecting on the silencing of Trump’s social media presence as he exits office also losing his presidential voice. In juxtaposition The Spectator’s “Biden time” however offers a less flattering portrayal of incoming President Biden and the New Statesman looks ahead to the new President’s burdensome in-tray: Biden carrying the weight of the world in the upcoming challenge to lead America out of the coronavirus crisis.