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As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his swearing-in on January 20, 2025, the event will showcase a mix of global leaders, tech giants, and entertainers, with a few notable absences. The inauguration will take place inside the U.S. Capitol due to dangerously cold weather, making it the first time since 1985 that the ceremony is held indoors.
Key Canadian Figures Missing the Ceremony
Canadian leaders will be notably absent from the inauguration. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet will skip the event, opting instead for a retreat in anticipation of Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs set to take effect on inauguration day. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who recently visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago, was expected to attend but will not due to the severe weather forecast. Her attendance was planned before the ceremony’s relocation indoors, which significantly reduced the number of ticketed guests, including Smith.
Other Canadian leaders are also skipping the event. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, critical of Trump’s economic threats, will remain at the Canadian embassy in Washington, while Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey’s attendance is uncertain. Trade Minister Mary Ng, however, will be in Washington attending a reception hosted by Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman.
Ontario officials, including Energy Minister Stephen Lecce and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli, are expected to be present with proposals to strengthen energy ties between Canada and the U.S., amid growing concerns over the tariff threat. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is not attending.
Notable World Leaders Invited
For the first time in over a century, foreign leaders will be present at a U.S. presidential inauguration. Notable right-wing world leaders are expected to attend, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Milei, who was the first to meet Trump post-election, is also set to attend several inaugural galas. Meloni, who has maintained cordial relations with both Trump and Biden, will also be at the ceremony.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will represent President Xi Jinping, who declined the invitation. This follows a phone call between Trump and Xi regarding trade, fentanyl, and TikTok. Meanwhile, Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, who has been barred from traveling, are notable absentees. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s attendance remains unclear.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not receive an invitation, while former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili will attend as a guest of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson.
CEOs, Billionaires, and Celebrities Joining the Ceremony
The inauguration will see the attendance of some of America’s wealthiest figures. Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and other tech titans will be seated alongside Trump’s cabinet on the inauguration platform. Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg have all made significant donations to the inauguration fund, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also confirmed as attending.
Notable figures from the tech world, including Uber’s Dara Khosrowshahi and Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong, will also be present. TikTok CEO Shou Chew, whose app faces a potential U.S. ban, will attend the event after receiving an invitation from Trump.
Performers at Trump’s Inaugural Ceremony
The inaugural ceremony will feature performances by country star Carrie Underwood, who will sing “America the Beautiful,” as well as opera singer Christopher Macchio and country artist Lee Greenwood. The Village People, famous for their association with Trump’s favorite anthem “Y.M.C.A.,” will perform at several pre-inaugural events, with other artists such as Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Rascal Flatts appearing throughout the four-day celebration.
Conclusion
Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, promises to be a historic occasion, with world leaders, business moguls, and entertainers gracing the event. While several prominent figures from Canada and around the world opt to sit out the ceremony, the guest list reflects the president-elect’s unique political and economic alliances, setting the tone for his second term in office.
With files from The Canadian Press, AP, CBS News
