Fri Jan 17 16:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s Inauguration: A Global Gathering of Right-Wing Populists
**Washington D.C.** – President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration is shaping up to be a stark departure from tradition, featuring a guest list dominated by right-wing populist leaders from around the globe. Unlike previous inaugurations, which primarily focused on domestic celebrations and featured foreign diplomats as a formality, Trump’s event will include a significant number of heads of state and government from countries aligned with his ideology.
Confirmed attendees include Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentinian President Javier Milei, and several other prominent figures from Europe’s far-right, such as Nigel Farage (UK), Éric Zemmour (France), and Tom Van Grieken (Belgium). The presence of these leaders, alongside figures like former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, underscores a clear ideological bent to the guest list.
Conversely, notable absences include European centrist leaders like EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This exclusion, along with the invitations extended to figures who have clashed with Brussels, highlights a deliberate prioritization of right-wing and nationalist leaders.
While some, like Meloni, are attempting to navigate their relationships with both Trump and the existing democratic alliances, others see the inauguration as an opportunity to cultivate relationships with the incoming administration. One EU diplomat noted that attendance is driven by the understanding that a connection with Trump is valuable regardless of political alignment.
The invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping, though unlikely to result in his attendance due to logistical constraints, signals Trump’s desire for open dialogue with Beijing. A senior Chinese official, possibly Vice-President Han Zheng or Foreign Minister Wang Yi, is expected to attend in Xi’s place.
Other notable attendees include India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, along with several Latin American leaders. Tech giants such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are also expected to attend.
The guest list’s composition has raised eyebrows among some, with one Green MEP questioning its resemblance to a lobbying event. The selection of invitees highlights a potential shift in US foreign policy under a Trump administration and its prioritization of relationships with leaders who share his political views. The inauguration promises not only a ceremonial event but also a significant display of Trump’s global political alliances.
First Piper 