US Capitol struck by lightning on NYE; Four iconic buildings struck in one night

Donald Trump supporters on social media speculated over whether a divine message was being sent after lightning strikes reportedly hit the U.S. Capitol Building and Washington Monument in Washington D.C., and the One World Trade Center and Empire State Building in New York City, on New Year’s Eve.

Footage and images shared online purportedly showed all four buildings being struck as revelers gathered across the United States to see in the New Year, with thousands gathering in New York’s Times Square for the iconic ball drop despite heavy rain being forecast.

The speculation takes place against the backdrop of a febrile political mood in the United States, with President-elect Donald Trump due to be inaugurated for the second time on January 20 in Washington D.C.

During the 2024 presidential election campaign, Trump promised radical change if returned to the White House, including the mass deportation of illegal migrants, allowing companies to “drill, drill, drill” for fossil fuels, and an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the America First Post, a Trump-supporting media outlet, shared three videos it said showed lightning strikes on the Capitol Building, Washington Monument and Empire State Building on New Year’s Eve.

Christian Ziegler, a Trump supporter and former Republican National Convention delegate, shared the Capitol Hill lightning footage adding: “U.S. Capitol Building struck by lightning as we close out 2024 and head into 2025. God is sending us a message.”