World leaders invited to Donald Trump inauguration including Milei as Starmer 'snubbed'

Donald Trump is breaking with tradition over his inauguration on January 20. (Image: Getty)

Donald Trump’s second inauguration as US President is set to take place on January 20, but it seems Sir Keir Starmer might have been snubbed.

This time around, Mr Trump is breaking with tradition by inviting foreign presidents and prime ministers to the event, which is not usually the case for US oath-taking ceremonies.

Reports indicate he has raised a record-breaking over $170 million (nearly £140 million) for the inauguration, with tech executives and major donors contributing large sums to support the ceremony.

This figure is also twice the $62 million secured by Joe Biden four years ago for his inauguration, which Trump did not attend. He became the fifth outgoing president not to attend his successor’s inauguration and the first in 152 years. Biden confirmed he would "of course" attend Trump’s presidential inauguration.

While the complete guest list has yet to be announced, several key global leaders have already been asked. Keir Starmer’s name, however, appears absent from the initial guest list.

Chinese President Xi Jinping received a personal invitation from Trump. (Image: Getty)

Chinese President, Xi Jinping

In a surprising move considering ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping received a personal invitation from Mr Trump.

Transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told CBS News about the invite, stating it is an example of Trump "creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors."

However, Xi may send a senior official in his place, such as Vice President Han Zheng or Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Argentinian President, Javier Milei

One of Trump’s key allies, Argentina’s President Javier Milei plans to attend the ceremony, a spokesperson confirmed to CBS News last month.

Elected in 2023, Mr Milei is known for his close relationship with Mr Trump. Since coming to power, Argentina's president has voiced his clear alignment with the characteristic MAGA agenda used by Mr Trump's campaign team. He even adapted it into his own campaign slogan: "Let's make Argentina great again."

Mr Trump has also praised Mr Milei's "fantastic work", austerity and lowering of inflation, according to statements given to US media outlets.

Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, also confirmed his attendance. (Image: Getty)

Nigel Farage, Reform UK

Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, also confirmed his attendance, according to Sky News.

Mr Farage spoke at several rallies during Mr Trump’s 2016 campaign, and said during the recent campaign that Mr Trump was “the right person to be the next president".

Mr Trump has, however, refused to invite Sir Keir Starmer, because he "undermined" the US election, Elon Musk suggested. The Trump campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission into alleged "blatant foreign interference" after it emerged up to 100 Labour Party staff campaigned in the US for Democrat candidate Kamala Harris.

Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her intention to attend Mr Trump’s inauguration, saying: "If I can, I will gladly participate."

She had previously been invited by Mr Trump to his inauguration and a surprise dinner and movie at Mar-a-Lago, Florida - a visit that was widely seen as a huge display of support for the incoming president.

During the event, Mr Trump praised her as a "fantastic woman" and stated: "She’s really taken Europe by storm."

Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban is said to have received an invitation to the event, sources told CBS News and added that he is still deliberating on whether he will attend.

Mr Orban, one of Mr Trump’s most loyal foreign allies, was welcomed by the incoming president at Mar-a-Lago following his election win. Many of Mr Trump’s supporters in the US regardMr Orban’s policies as a potential model for Mr Trump’s second term.

Former President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro is currently working to reclaim his passport to attend. (Image: Getty)

El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele was among the first global leaders to publicly congratulate Mr Trump after his electoral victory.

Last year, Donald Trump Jr. attended the inauguration of Mr Bukele for his second term.

Mr Bukele enjoyed a close relationship with the Trump administration during 2019 and 2020 and Mr Trump was happy with his willingness to cooperate with efforts to control migration.

Brazil’s former President, Jair Bolsonaro

Former President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, revealed that he had been invited to attend the inauguration and is currently working to reclaim his passport, which was seized last year during an investigation into the 2023 attempted coup.

Mr Bolsonaro took to X/ Twitter to express his "honour at receiving the invitation" and stated that his lawyer, Paulo Bueno, had already submitted a request for Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to release the passport.

Japan Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya confirmed plans to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration, with Japan seeking to strengthen its relationship with the incoming administration.

"We aim to build a relationship of trust with the Trump administration," Iwaya said in an interview on NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster.

Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un have not received invitations. (Image: Getty)

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to represent India, with the ministry (MEA) saying in a press release that Mr Jaishankar would hold meetings with members of the incoming administration and other dignitaries attending the event.

The MEA statement read: "On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-In Ceremony of President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America."

Other leaders

Aside from key world leaders, figures like Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.

Bloomberg reported that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to attend the event, while a company spokesperson revealed that Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is also expected to be present.

French far-right politician Eric Zemmour will also be present.

Who else is not invited?

Among the most notable absences will be Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un, who have reportedly not received invitations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also not attend but expressed interest in engaging with the new administration early on.