Instead of focusing solely on traditional diplomatic routes, Donald Trump has extended invitations to several foreign leaders he has personally connected with during phone calls or meetings at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Among them is Argentine President Javier Milei, who will be present at the upcoming event, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, Xi is delegating attendance to Vice President Han Zheng, as noted by Politico.
High-profile figures from Europe’s populist far-right have also made the guest list, including Britain’s Nigel Farage and France’s Eric Zemmour, both of whom are set to attend the inauguration.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month in a move that surprised many, has been a key figure in Trump’s outreach to European allies. Trump described Meloni as “a fantastic woman” who has “taken Europe by storm,” reflecting admiration for her leadership. Her visit to Florida is seen as part of her concerted effort to position herself as Trump’s primary European interlocutor.
Meloni’s connections extend beyond politics. She reportedly shares a strong relationship with tech mogul Elon Musk, who is a close ally of Trump, further solidifying her role as a bridge between the president-elect and key international figures.
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