Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, scheduled for January 20, is shaping up to be a star-studded and politically significant event, with an array of high-profile attendees confirmed.
Billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg will attend the ceremony, NBC News reported, citing an unnamed official involved in the event’s planning. The three influential tech moguls will be seated together on the platform alongside prominent guests, including Trump’s cabinet nominees.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the majority owner of X, has emerged as one of Trump’s closest allies. His presence at the inauguration is unsurprising, given his alignment with Trump’s hard-right politics and his financial support for the presidential campaign. Musk’s role in Trump’s administration is already taking shape, as he has been tapped to co-lead an advisory commission dubbed the department of government efficiency (DOGE), aimed at reducing federal spending and bureaucracy.
Bezos and Zuckerberg, while less closely aligned with Trump, have made efforts to cultivate a relationship with the president-elect.
Global leaders and diplomats
External affairs minister S Jaishankar will represent the country at the ceremony, following an invitation from the Trump-Vance inaugural committee.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also confirmed her invitation, stating that she hopes to attend if her schedule permits.
China’s President Xi Jinping will send a high-level envoy to represent Beijing, while Argentine President Javier Milei—breaking tradition—plans to attend the event himself.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has received an invitation but has yet to announce his decision, and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has also been invited despite facing legal troubles and a ban from running for political office in Brazil until 2030.
Former US Presidents in attendance
Joe Biden has confirmed his attendance, dismissing the controversy surrounding his presence as “childish games.”
Several former US presidents will also be present, including Barack Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton. They will be accompanied by their spouses, with the exception of Michelle Obama, who has opted to skip the event.
Trump’s inauguration marks a break from certain traditions, with his team extending invitations to several international leaders and former heads of state, signaling a global stage for the event.
