Which international leaders will be present at Trump’s inauguration, and which ones will not be attending?

United States President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term on Monday, January 20, marking his position as the 47th president of the United States.

Both Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will take the oath of office, commencing a new administration that will feature a day filled with celebrations, including musical performances and a parade.

In a departure from traditional inaugurations, this event will see the attendance of numerous foreign leaders, including both Trump’s allies and some of his political opponents. Invitations have been extended to at least seven current heads of state and two former leaders, with an estimated 500,000 guests anticipated, according to Reuters.

Here’s an overview of the guest list, highlighting who is included, who is absent, and the reasons behind this unconventional selection:

What distinguishes this inauguration?

President-elect Trump is deviating from established US traditions for this occasion. Typically, presidential inaugurations are primarily domestic events, where the president and vice president take their oaths in the presence of US officials, former heads of state, and other American dignitaries on the steps of the US Capitol. The public is permitted to observe from the surrounding areas.

In contrast, this inauguration will feature an inaugural address, a parade, musical performances, and balls, while also embracing an international dimension. Nearly a dozen world leaders, predominantly conservative and right-leaning, have been invited. It is uncommon for foreign leaders to attend US presidential inaugurations; typically, representatives such as ambassadors or foreign ministers fulfill this role.

Who has received invitations?

Several heads of state, particularly right-wing or populist leaders aligned with Trump, have been invited, alongside some of his political rivals. Notably, the following leaders are confirmed:

Argentina’s President Javier Milei: Milei has announced his attendance. Trump has previously praised the far-right leader, stating he can “make Argentina great again,” and welcomed him at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last December.

Chinese President Xi Jinping: Trump extended an invitation to Xi for the December ceremony, which his representatives interpret as a sign of his willingness to engage with the Chinese leader, despite the ongoing trade tensions. However, Xi will not be present; instead, Vice President Han Zheng will attend.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: Meloni, representing the far-right Brothers of Italy party, visited Mar-a-Lago in January. Her office has indicated that she is likely to attend the ceremony if her schedule allows.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban: The populist leader and close ally of Trump has expressed confidence that the president-elect will bring an end to Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. However, he will be unable to attend due to a scheduled state address, as reported by local media.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Modi and Trump have maintained a strong rapport since Trump’s first term. Following Trump’s election win in December, Modi was among the first to reach out and congratulate him. Although Modi will not be attending, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will represent India at the event.

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa: Noboa celebrated Trump’s victory in December as a win for Latin America as well. His office has confirmed that he will temporarily suspend his re-election campaign to attend the inauguration in Washington.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has yet to confirm his attendance. Notably, Donald Trump Jr., a friend of Bukele, attended his inauguration in San Salvador in July 2024.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, often referred to as the “Trump of the Tropics,” has received an invitation but will not be present due to a travel ban. His passport was seized by Brazil’s Supreme Court amid ongoing investigations, including alleged efforts to contest the results of the 2022 general election, which he lost.

Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who has recently taken the helm of the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists party in the EU Parliament, is confirmed to attend.

Who has not received an invitation?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer‘s office confirmed on Thursday that he has not been invited. In contrast, Nigel Farage, the far-right politician from the Reform UK party, is invited and will be in attendance.

Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, along with many members of the European Union and NATO, which predominantly feature centrist governments, have not been invited. Additionally, Germany’s President Olaf Scholz, who oversees the EU’s largest economy, has also been overlooked. However, an invitation has been sent to Alice Weidel, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), who will be represented by co-leader Tino Chrupalla.

Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s right-wing Vox Party, and Andre Ventura from Portugal’s populist Chega party are set to attend the event.

French President Emmanuel Macron will not be in attendance, despite his amicable relationship with Trump. Instead, Eric Zemmour, a prominent figure in the French far-right and leader of the Reconquest party, will represent France.

Which other nations hold similarly grand swearing-in ceremonies?

While each country has its own customs, inaugurations are generally considered domestic events, often featuring leaders from neighboring nations.

In India, swearing-in ceremonies are increasingly elaborate. For instance, during President Narendra Modi’s third inauguration last July, the guest list included 9,000 attendees, featuring several heads of state from nearby Indian Ocean countries, such as Sri Lanka’s Ranil Wickremesinghe and the recently ousted Bangladeshi president, Sheikh Hasina.

Likewise, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was sworn in for a third consecutive term in June 2023, welcomed 34 world leaders to his opulent celebrations. Notable attendees included South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban.