Trump's Inauguration: From S. Jaishankar, Meloni to Musk, Who Is Invited?

Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States is shaping up to be a star-studded event, with a number of influential global leaders, politicians, and high-profile figures confirming their attendance. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 20 at the US Capitol, beginning at 12 pm ET (10:30 pm IST).

Among the prominent figures invited, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has received an official invitation and is expected to attend, pending confirmation of her schedule. A vocal supporter of Trump, Meloni has expressed her intent to strengthen ties between Italy and the U.S. under Trump’s leadership, marking her attendance as a key gesture of political alignment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has also been invited, with a spokesperson from Trump’s camp describing the invitation as part of the president-elect’s commitment to maintaining open dialogue with both allies and adversaries. However, Xi will send a high-level envoy in his place, indicating that while China acknowledges the invitation, it will not be represented at the highest level.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch Trump ally, has also been invited, although he has yet to confirm whether he will attend. Orban’s policies align closely with Trump’s, particularly on issues related to immigration and national sovereignty.

Argentina's President Javier Milei has broken with tradition and will personally attend the inauguration, underscoring his support for Trump. Meanwhile, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was invited, is working on resolving a legal issue involving his confiscated passport, a key obstacle to his potential attendance.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, one of Trump’s strongest allies in Central America, was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his victory. Bukele will also attend the inauguration, reaffirming his support for Trump’s foreign policy.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will be present as part of Japan’s diplomatic efforts to strengthen relations with the incoming administration. Japan views this attendance as a significant diplomatic gesture aimed at building trust and cooperation with the U.S.

Representing India at the inauguration will be External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Invited by the Trump-Vance inaugural committee, Jaishankar’s presence highlights India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the U.S., especially in the wake of Trump's focus on key Asian nations. A statement from India’s foreign ministry confirmed Jaishankar’s participation, underscoring the importance of this relationship.

In addition to world leaders, the inauguration will be attended by prominent political figures such as Eric Zemmour, the far-right French politician, and Nigel Farage, the former UKIP leader and close Trump ally. The event will also see the presence of major tech industry figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, as well as billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.

Former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton will attend, accompanied by their spouses (with Michelle Obama not expected to join). President Joe Biden has confirmed his attendance, brushing off controversy surrounding his participation, calling it “childish games.”

As the world watches, Trump’s inauguration promises to be a spectacle, with a mix of political heavyweights and influential figures from across the globe gathering to mark the beginning of his second term in office.