Full List of World Leaders Invited to Attend Trump’s Inauguration, Snubs President Bio, Other African Leaders

Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, following his decisive victory on November 5.

The high-profile event will see a mix of world leaders, diplomats, and former U.S. Presidents in attendance. However, notable absences, particularly from African leaders, have raised eyebrows. Among the no-shows is Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who was reportedly not invited, alongside other African leaders.

The 78-year-old Republican will take the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, in a ceremony filled with grandeur, before making a victorious return to the White House, which he left under controversial circumstances four years earlier.

Trump broke the precedent and invited several foreign leaders to the ceremony. Historically, they have not attended the inaugural due to security concerns and have sent diplomats instead.

World leaders attending Trump’s presidential inauguration

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Trump as the President of the United States. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that Jaishankar will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming Trump administration during his visit to the U.S.

Japan and Australia will be represented by their respective Foreign Ministers Takeshi Iwaya and Penny Wong.

Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, a strong supporter of Trump, has said he will attend, according to reports. Another Trump backer, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, has said he is considering coming.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending, despite an invitation, but he would send Vice President Han Zheng to attend the inauguration, vowing to “enhance dialogue” with the new administration.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said she hopes to attend the inauguration.

Hard-right Eurosceptic Nigel Farage, who leads the Reform U.K. party, is due to be at the ceremony, as is French far-right politician Eric Zemmour.

The co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) Tino Chrupalla said that he would attend the inauguration, as the party seeks to highlight its ties with the incoming administration.

No political representatives from the current German government are expected to go. Instead, Germany will be officially represented by its ambassador in Washington, Andreas Michaelis.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not attend the ceremony next week instead British ambassador will represent the UK.

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen will not attend.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced that he had received an invitation to Trump’s inauguration. But Brazil’s Supreme Court denied a request by Bolsonaro to temporarily restore his passport so that he could attend the inauguration.

Former U.S Presidents attending the swearing-in ceremony

Outgoing President Joe Biden will attend the ceremony – despite Trump’s refusal to appear at Biden’s swearing-in when he beat Trump in 2020.

All living former Presidents will attend the ceremony. Bill Clinton will attend Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, a person familiar with the former President’s schedule confirmed for the AP.

Hillary Clinton, whom Trump beat in the 2016 presidential election, in addition to Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he beat in November, will be present.

The Office of George W. Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush are also attending.

Barack Obama will also join the other former Presidents at the ceremony but Michelle Obama will skip the event.

What Lies Ahead

As Trump embarks on his second term, the absence of African leaders at his inauguration signals potential challenges in strengthening ties with the continent. Meanwhile, the event underscores Trump’s evolving political strategy, one that places populist allies and unconventional partnerships at the forefront of his agenda.

The world watches as Trump’s “America First” ideology enters a new phase, leaving many to ponder the implications for international diplomacy.