Military musician here, it definitely sounds like a lower key. Usually it goes seamlessly from the Ruffles into the March as far as the key and is played slightly faster than the flourishes. I’ll have to check my music pouch tomorrow to see what key Hail to the Chief is in for the DoD version.

After seeing the second clip, it’s not unlikely that the key gets adjusted for the group performing, ie a brass group or a full band. So it’s not necessarily significant but you’d think that one of the top military ensembles in the world would’ve performed it better for “the president”.

Military musician here, it definitely sounds like a lower key. Usually it goes seamlessly from the Ruffles into the March as far as the key and is played slightly faster than the flourishes. I’ll have to check my music pouch tomorrow to see what key Hail to the Chief is in for the DoD version.