Historic First: Foreign Leaders Set to Attend Trump’s Inauguration

President-elect Donald Trump is set to take the oath of office inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, with access limited to just a few hundred invitees. This marks his second inauguration, and it will feature an impressive guest list that includes some of the wealthiest individuals globally, prominent U.S. politicians, foreign dignitaries, and celebrities aligned with Trump.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to attend, reinstating a longstanding tradition where former presidential candidates appear alongside their successors. This practice was notably absent four years ago, as Donald Trump did not attend Biden’s inauguration.

Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush will also be present, making it a historic occasion as it will be the first inauguration since 2009 with all living former presidents in attendance. Members of Congress will also have the privilege of witnessing the ceremony from within the Capitol.

In a historic first, foreign leaders are set to attend the inaugural events, highlighting the significance of the peaceful transfer of power in American democracy. Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni are expected to join the event, while Chinese President Xi Jinping has opted to send his vice president as a representative. Notable attendees will also include Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa.

Among the business titans, tech billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg will take prominent seats during the inauguration. Their collective wealth approaches nearly $1 trillion, signaling the influence of the tech industry at this significant political event. Notably, CEOs from OpenAI and TikTok are also expected to attend, with Sam Altman among those who’ve contributed substantially to Trump’s inauguration fund.

A star-studded roster of celebrities will also grace the occasion. Among the confirmed guests are Logan and Jake Paul, UFC founder Dana White, and Megyn Kelly. Country music star Carrie Underwood is set to perform “America the Beautiful” during the ceremony, while various performers, including Rascal Flatts and Nelly, will entertain at the inaugural balls.

However, some notable figures will be absent from the festivities. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former First Lady Michelle Obama have announced their intentions to skip the inauguration. Their offices have not provided specific reasons for their decisions, but many Democratic lawmakers have previously voiced their opposition to Trump. Of the Democrats in Congress, about 20 have officially declared they will not participate in this year’s inauguration.