Islamabad: As Americans prepare to inaugurate their 47th president with pomp and circumstance, leaders and global bigwigs are heading to Washington to attend the impressive ceremony.
The ceremony will take place at noon (ET) at the US Capitol, with Trump’s swearing-in and other proceedings starting at 12 pm ET (10.30 pm IST).
Let’s have a look at the exclusive club that is poised to attend the event.
Chinese Vice-President
Chinese President Xi Jinping was invited through a personal invitation from Donald Trump, but China announced that Vice-President Han Zheng would attend the gathering instead.
Pakistan ex-FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
Pakistan’s former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has been invited to the inauguration ceremony on January 20. Bilawal will depart for Washington to attend the ceremony on Jan 20, according to local media reports.
Hungary’s Viktor Orban
According to CBS News, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has received an invitation to the event. Orban is the US’ closest foreign ally.
Having previously visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago following his election victory, Orban is reportedly deliberating whether he will attend.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni
Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, though she is still checking her schedule.
“If I can, I will gladly participate,” she said.
Argentina President Javier Milei
President Javier Milei of Argentina is likely to attend the ceremony.
According to CBS News, Milei has a good relationship with Donald Trump.
Japan FM Takeshi Iwaya
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya confirmed his attendance at Trump’s inauguration as part of Japan’s effort to bolster ties with the new administration.
Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro
Brazil’s populist former president Jair Bolsonaro was reportedly among those invited to the event. He expressed his willingness to the elite club, but his country’s supreme court poured cold water on his wishes, denying him his passport confiscated as part of an investigation into election fraud.
Indian FM S Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is poised to represent India at Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
“On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-In Ceremony of President-Elect Donald J Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America,” his office said.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to attend Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
French politician Eric Zemmour
Far-right politician from France Eric Zemmour is invited to the event by President-elect Donald Trump.
UK politician Nigel Farage
Long-time Trump ally Nigel Farage, a politician from the UK has confirmed his attendance.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi will also participate in some related festivities. According to Bloomberg, Uber is co-hosting an inauguration party in Washington, DC, in collaboration with Elon Musk’s X and media firm The Free Press.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
In addition, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is expected to be present, as confirmed by a company spokesperson.
American Idol star Carrie Underwood
Confirmed acts so far include American Idol star Carrie Underwood, who will perform America The Beautiful shortly before Trump takes the oath of office.
Singer Christopher Macchio
Other performers include classical singer Christopher Macchio, who will sing Oh, America! before the vice-presidential oath of office with JD Vance and will close the ceremony with a rendition of the American National Anthem.
It is with deep humility and gratitude that I have accepted @realDonaldTrump President Donald J. Trump’s gracious invitation to perform our National Anthem at the Inauguration of our 47th President. In opening and closing this magnificent ceremony with music that celebrates our… pic.twitter.com/K5IlISTv77
— Christopher Macchio (@ChrisMacchio) January 14, 2025
Singer Victor Willis
Meanwhile, Victor Willis, frontman of the Village People, announced the band had accepted an invitation “to participate in inaugural activities, including at least one event with President Elect Trump”.
