Trump Inauguration Day: Xi Jinping, Giorgia Meloni, Shigeru Ishiba — World Leaders Invited For Jan 20 Event
US President-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration will take place with notable attendees including outgoing President Joe Biden, and leaders from China, Argentina, Italy, El Salvador, Hungary, Japan, and Australia.
Donald Trump Inauguration Day: US President-elect Donald Trump is set to take the oath of office on January 20, 2025, marking the start of his second non-consecutive term. The inauguration ceremony will take place at the US Capitol at noon ET, with notable global leaders and dignitaries expected to attend.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the event. According to the ministry’s statement, Jaishankar will participate at the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee. During his visit, he is also scheduled to hold meetings with members of the incoming administration and other visiting dignitaries.
Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day: List Of Expected Attendees
Several world leaders and high-profile individuals have been invited to the ceremony, some of whom have confirmed their attendance:
- Joe Biden: Outgoing US President Biden confirmed his attendance, saying in an interview with Meidas Touch, “Of course I am.” He rejected the notion of skipping the event, calling it a “childish game.”
- Chinese Delegation: Although Chinese President Xi Jinping was invited, he is unlikely to attend. A senior delegation from China is expected to represent him. Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, told Fox News, “This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just allies but our adversaries and our competitors, too.”
- Argentinean President Javier Milei: Known for his alignment with Trump, Milei’s spokesperson confirmed his attendance, reported CBS News and Bloomberg.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: Meloni, who met Trump earlier this month at Mar-a-Lago, has accepted the invitation, CNN reported.
- El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele: Bukele, a Trump ally and one of the first to congratulate him on his victory, has reportedly received an invitation, CNN reported citing sources.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban: Orban has received an invitation but is reportedly still considering it, CBS News reported sources as informing.
- Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya announced his plans to attend the ceremony on behalf of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government. Speaking on NHK, Iwaya stated, “We aim to build a relationship of trust with the Trump administration securely.” Australia has also confirmed that its foreign minister will represent the country at the event, as per Reuters.
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, is expected to attend, though he has not yet confirmed. Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who dropped out of the 2024 presidential race to endorse Trump, may also be present. Both have been offered roles in Trump’s new administration.
The US Secret Service faces heightened security challenges, given the presence of multiple world leaders and the need to protect Trump, who survived two assassination attempts last summer.
Trump’s approach to extending invitations has been described as informal, with invites often made during casual conversations or through back channels, according to sources cited by CNN. A Trump adviser remarked, “Trump is very eager to have world leaders at the inauguration. He wants a global stage.”
The event promises to be a high-profile gathering as Trump returns to the Oval Office.
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