As the inauguration of the United States of America (USA) president-elect Donald Trump nears, several people are expected to skip the ceremony which marks one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the nation.
The inauguration will be held indoors with at least seven sitting heads of state already invited, several key persons have indicated they will skip the event.
Normally, presidential inaugurations are a domestic affair: the president and vice president take the oath with US officials, past heads of state and other American VIPs present on the steps of the US Capitol building.
Equally, foreign leaders usually do not attend the US presidential inauguration. However, diplomats like country ambassadors to the US, or foreign ministers, act as representatives.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not be present during Trump’s inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025, while former President Barack Obama will attend.
Similarly, former President George Bush and wife Laura have confirmed they will be attending the ceremony. Bill and Hillary Clinton will also be present.
“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama said.
China President
President-elect Trump had initially invited China’s President Xi Jinping but the rival nation’s president has indicated that he will not be attending the ceremony.
In his place, China’s Vice President Han Zheng will represent the country after the US restored TikTok- a Chinese-owned company with at least 170 million users in the United States.
Also, Hungary’s Prime Minister who is a Trump ally Viktor Orban has equally revealed that he will not be attending the inauguration set to begin at 8:00 pm local time.
India PM Modi
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has shared a close working relationship with Trump during his first term in office has also branched out of the ceremony.
In his capacity, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is expected to grace the event which will be conducted indoors due to extremely cold temperatures in Washington DC.
Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro
Notably, former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro who is nicknamed the ‘Trump of the Tropics’ was invited for the function but will not attend as the Supreme Court confiscated his passport and banned him from travelling.
Bolsonaro is under investigation after he lost the 2022 elections which he was accused of attempting to overturn its results.
Trump failed to invite UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer but instead invited Nigel Farage of the Reform UK Party- a far-right organization. Farage has confirmed that he will be attending.
French president Emmanuel Macron was not invited but far-right politician Eric Zemmour of the Reconquest party was invited and has confirmed he will be attending.
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