President-elect Donald J. Trump's inauguration on Monday was attended by three of the world's richest people, foreign dignitaries, technology and corporate executives, former presidents, various performers and other celebrities, who arrived as early as noon. Regardless, his name is on the guest list. Due to the expected extreme cold, the ceremony was moved indoors.
It is unclear how moving Trump's second swearing-in ceremony to the Capitol Rotunda will affect seating arrangements. Unlike outdoor venues, the Capitol Rotunda can only accommodate about 600 people.
Four years ago, Trump skipped President Biden's inauguration in disdain for a political opponent. All living former presidents would see him return to power, but some prominent Democrats have rejected it.
Below is a list of those scheduled to attend the inauguration, as well as notable absentees.
I'm going
Billionaires, businessmen, and technology company executives
Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, three of the world's richest people, will be among the leaders of major technology companies who will sit in positions of honor on stage at Trump's inauguration before the event is moved indoors. He was reported to be one of the executives. Apple CEO Tim Cook and Shu Chiu, CEO of the endangered social media app TikTok, were also invited to sit on stage.
Seats for other big donors from the business world were already highly competitive before they were moved indoors at the last minute. Some offered to donate as much as $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee without receiving admission to the inauguration or accompanying them to the reception in return.
world leader
At the inauguration ceremony, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will attend in place of Xi Jinping, who was invited by Trump.
Unlike the inaugurations of President Biden and former President Barack Obama, many other world leaders are expected to attend. Many of them share Trump's ideological and policy preferences.
From Latin America, Argentina's right-wing populist president Javier Millei is reportedly scheduled to attend. Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's former president and fellow right-wing populist, was also scheduled to attend, but his passport was previously confiscated by Brazilian federal police and his request to travel to Brazil's Supreme Court justice was denied.
From Europe, Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed that she plans to attend. A spokesperson for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Trump, told Hungarian media that the prime minister had been invited but would not attend.
Representatives from three major US allies in the Asia-Pacific region are also scheduled to attend. Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs. and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
President Trump's predecessor
Mr. Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are expected to attend Mr. Trump's inauguration, as they did for the first one eight years ago. However, they will not attend the traditional lunch with the president-elect that day, according to NBC News.
Former Vice President Mike Pence also plans to attend the inauguration, according to two people familiar with the plans. As is customary for all former presidents and vice presidents, he received an invitation.
celebrity invitees
According to the event program, Carrie Underwood is scheduled to sing “America the Beautiful” at Trump's inauguration. Victor Willis, the last surviving founding member of the Village People, whose music Mr. Trump frequently performs at political rallies, announced Monday that the group had accepted an invitation to participate in Mr. Trump's inaugural activities. announced on Facebook.
NBC News also reported that several athletes and musicians will be in attendance. Among them is football player Antonio Brown. Boxer Mike Tyson. Jorge Masvidal, martial artist. and hockey player Evander Kane. Musicians Anuel AA, Justin Quiles, Rod Wave, Kodak Black and Fivio Fallin will also be in attendance, according to NBC.
I won't go
michelle obama
Mr. Obama is scheduled to attend, but former first lady Michelle Obama will not be attending. A statement from Mrs. Obama's office did not give a reason for her absence, but said she did not attend another event this month. She did not accompany her husband to former President Jimmy Carter's funeral, which was attended by all living former presidents and all other living former presidents. The First Lady was in attendance.
nancy pelosi
Representative Nancy Pelosi, a former speaker of the House of Representatives and Trump's chief opponent during his first term as president, will also not attend the inauguration. Pelosi, 84, is still recovering from hip replacement surgery following a fall during an official visit to Luxembourg, but she attended the House vote. A spokesperson did not say why he would not attend, but there is a long-standing rivalry between Trump and Pelosi.
Many House Democrats also missed the inauguration.
Democrats who have announced or told reporters they plan to skip the inauguration include Reps. Adam Smith of Washington, Judy Chu of California, Delia Ramirez of Illinois and Donald Trump of Virginia. -Includes Congressman S. Beyer Jr. and Congressman Steve Cohen. Tennessee Representative, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett, and Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of Texas.
