The final hours of 2024 brought dramatic weather to the East Coast of the USA, as lightning struck two iconic landmarks—the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., and the Empire State Building in New York City.
Videos of the electrifying moments quickly spread across social media, igniting a wave of speculation and symbolic interpretations.
The lightning strikes occurred amid heavy rainfall and as revelers welcomed the new year. While such phenomena are not uncommon—tall structures like the Empire State Building are struck by lightning dozens of times a year—the timing fueled significant online buzz.
Utah Senator Mike Lee captured and shared a video of the Capitol strike, captioning it with, “Feels like an omen. What’s it telling us?” Similarly, conservative commentator Pamela Hensley suggested divine intervention, stating, “This is a good indication that the Lord Almighty wants the Biden Administration to leave.”
The strikes come at a politically charged moment in the United States, with President Joe Biden preparing to leave office and former President Donald Trump set to return to the White House on January 20. Many online commentators viewed the lightning as a symbol of divine or cosmic significance, tying it to the impending political transition.
Tricia Flanagan, a Republican politician, shared her thoughts on social media: “The Capitol is struck by lightning, Washington Monument right after & thunder roars… all as 2025 is ushered in. It’s going to be Biblical.”
Other users echoed similar sentiments, with one writing, “Feels like an omen. I wonder what God is telling us.”
While the strikes stirred symbolic interpretations, scientists emphasize the natural explanation behind such events. Lightning frequently targets tall structures due to their height and conductive materials. The Empire State Building, for instance, is struck by lightning an average of 25 times per year, according to its official website.
The Capitol is struck by lightning, Washington Monument right after & thunder roars…all as 2025 is ushered in.
It’s going to be Biblical. https://t.co/Df4fe6YZFi pic.twitter.com/6wSvER5U9e
— Tricia Flanagan (R-NJ) (@NewDayForNJ) January 1, 2025
The US Capitol, World Trade Center, and Empire State Building were all struck by lightning tonight, on the final evening of 2024.
Feels like an omen. I wonder what God is telling us. pic.twitter.com/5hNoeCs5sK
— SOVEREIGN BRAH 🇺🇸🏛️⚡️ (@sovereignbrah) January 1, 2025
🚨BOTH The Empire State Building and the Capitol Building struck by lightning to start off the year!
New York City and Washington DC
Welcome to 2025! pic.twitter.com/hJfw6dOXbr— In2ThinAir (@In2ThinAir) January 1, 2025
Lighting strikes Masonic landmark icons.