Traditional diplomatic norms are being reimagined for the upcoming presidential inauguration as Donald Trump extends unprecedented direct invitations to global leaders.
According to Just the News, Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, is poised to become the largest gathering of international leaders in Washington since George H. W. Bush's state funeral in 2018, breaking from the usual practice of limiting formal representation to ambassadors and diplomats.
The event is attracting significant attention from world leaders who are aligned with Trump's political ideology. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering attending despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
At the same time, Argentina's Javier Milei and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have shown strong enthusiasm for participating in the historic occasion.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has met Trump twice at Mar-a-Lago since July, is expected to attend the inauguration. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele received a personal invitation from Trump, building on existing ties that had strengthened when Donald Trump Jr. attended Bukele's inauguration as his father's representative in June.
Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel commented on the improbability of Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance:
Can you imagine Xi Jinping sitting outdoors in Washington, D.C., in January, at the feet of the podium, surrounded by hawkish members of Congress, gazing up at Donald Trump as he delivers his inaugural address?
While Xi received an invitation amid tensions over Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese goods, experts consider his attendance unlikely. Russian President Vladimir Putin's absence has been confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who simply stated that no invitation was received.
French President Emmanuel Macron's potential attendance remains uncertain, though he has demonstrated an eagerness to maintain positive relations with Trump. Macron was notably quick to congratulate Trump on his election victory, beating Italian Prime Minister Meloni by six minutes.
Trump expressed his admiration for Meloni during a recent press interaction, stating: "She's fantastic. She's a fantastic leader and a person!"
The Italian leader's anticipated presence at the inauguration reflects the growing alliance between right-wing leaders and Trump's vision for international cooperation. This alignment comes despite Trump's historically low approval ratings in European nations and various domestic challenges faced by these leaders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's potential attendance carries significant weight as he continues to seek U.S. support for his country's war effort against Russia. Recent developments, including a trilateral meeting in Paris during the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening, demonstrate Zelensky's efforts to maintain favorable relations with Trump.
The unprecedented nature of these direct invitations to world leaders marks a significant shift from previous inaugurations. This approach reflects Trump's preference for personal diplomacy and direct engagement with foreign leaders rather than traditional diplomatic channels.
The guest list continues to evolve as the inauguration date approaches. While some notable absences are confirmed, the event promises to be a gathering of Trump's international allies and those seeking to strengthen ties with his administration, potentially reshaping diplomatic norms for future presidential inaugurations.
