Former presidents, politicians, tech giants, world leaders and more will gather in Washington, D.C., on Monday Inauguration ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump – While some of the main characters will skip the event entirely.
Traditionally, most departing presidents attend the White House inauguration of those in office. Outgoing President Biden told the MeidasTouch Network last month that he would attend Trump's second inauguration — even though Trump did not attend Biden's inauguration four years ago. Additionally, the White House confirmed that First Lady Jill Biden will attend.
Likewise, the three former presidents, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, have confirmed that they will participate in the inauguration ceremonies. The Associated Press reports. Former first ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton will also join their spouses for Trump's second inauguration.
But some prominent Democrats will not attend the inauguration. Former First Lady Michelle Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced this week that they would not attend the event.
Michelle Obama Skips Trump's Inauguration to Avoid Having to 'Protect for Protocol:' Reports
A platform was seen during preparations for the inauguration of the US President. (AP Photo)
An Obama family spokesperson did not provide additional information to the AP regarding Michelle Obama's absence, although the former first lady also did not attend the previous ceremony. Funeral of President Jimmy Carter Earlier this month.
Likewise, technology giants including Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceXAmazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and TikTok CEO Xu Qiu will be in attendance and seated at the front of the podium alongside other VIP guests.
A source familiar with the plans told Fox News Digital Chew that he received an invitation from the inaugural committee. The New York Times reported on Cho's attendance.
Carrie Underwood performs “America the Beautiful” at Trump's inauguration
Members of the Joint US Military Honor Guard parade during their training ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration, on the North Lawn in front of the White House in Washington on Sunday, January 12, 2025. (Associated Press)
Trump also extended invitations to several world leaders – including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Carolyn Leavitt, the incoming White House press secretary, told “Fox & Friends” in December that Xi was invited after Trump said he would “love to have” the Chinese leader at the inauguration.
“This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not only our allies, but our adversaries and competitors as well. We've seen this in the first term before,” Leavitt said. “He is willing to talk to anyone, and will always put America's interests first.”
Although Jinping will not attend, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will visit Washington for the occasion.
The AP also reported that Trump invited Javier Miley, President of Argentina, and Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador. In the same way, CBS first reported Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was invited to attend the inauguration, but Hungarian media reported that he would not make the trip, according to Politico.
However, Miley is expected to attend, as is Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Politico reports.
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President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2017. (Andrew Harrier/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Such manifestations are unique. The AP previously reported that no foreign leader has attended any inauguration in the United States, according to State Department historical records.
His musical performances Carrie UnderwoodVillage People and Lee Greenwood are also scheduled to open. Underwood is scheduled to perform “America the Beautiful” during the swearing-in ceremony for Trump and President-elect J.D. Vance, a spokesperson for Trump's transition told Fox News Digital.
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Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump were absent from Biden's inauguration in 2021. Other presidents also missed the inauguration of their successors. Six other former presidents, dating back to John Adams, were also absent from the next president's inauguration, according to the White House Historical Association.
Fox News' Michael Dorgan, Brooke Singman and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
