Trump lashes out at media for small Inauguration turnout reporting

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Side-by-side photos show small Trump Inauguration crowds

Trump prediction of “record” turnout appears overstated

Several news outlets have posted side-by-side aerial photos contrasting the size of the crowd for today's inauguration of Donald Trump versus Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009.

While no official estimates are available yet, most reporting suggested a demonstrative smaller turnout than the one eight years ago.

According to McClatchy news, despite Donald Trump’s prediction of a record-setting turnout for the inauguration, indicators point to a much more modest gathering.

“As the incoming president took the oath of office, the white panels put down to protect the grass along the National Mall revealed large swaths of open space – a stark contrast to the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds that blanketed the National Mall from the U.S. Capitol to past the Washington Monument during Barack Obama’s inaugurations.”

Although the news of the smaller turnout began appearing while President Trump was at his post-inauguration luncheon with Congressional leaders, he apparently took time out from the get-together to tweet his response to the reporting.

It is not clear when Mr. Trump says “record,” does he mean record large or record small.