These will be the guests at Donald Trump’s inauguration: from Santiago Abascal to Giorgia Meloni

Chijioke Obinna

Why Donald Trump wants to take control of Greenland or the Panama Canal

Donald Trump’s return to the White House, after his departure in 2021, represents much more than a change of administration; It symbolizes a second opportunity to consolidate a political vision that deeply marked the United States and the world. After a tumultuous first presidency, the former president managed to overcome Kamala Harris in the November 2024 elections, claiming his place in American politics. This return occurs in a context of growing polarization, social tensions and global challenges that will demand immediate responses from the first day of his second term.

Thus, the New York tycoon takes office this Monday, January 20, 2025at a time when the United States faces a divided society, with fault lines running through issues such as the economy, systemic racism, immigration and foreign policy.

Among his most controversial proposalshighlights his intention to massively deport the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country and his plan to close the border with Mexico. He has also proposed vetoing gender affirmation surgeries on minors, as well as preventing the participation of trans women in women’s sports competitions.

In international politics, Trump has renewed his interest in strategic territories such as Greenland and the Panama Canal, seeking to reinforce US influence in these areas. These decisions further polarize his return to power, becoming the subject of criticism, both nationally and internationally.

In this context, Trump’s inauguration will be accompanied by a diversity of guests, among which international figures from different ideological currents stand out: from European leaders to Latin American presidents, who represent a range of political perspectives that reflect internal polarization and international alliances of the new government. This mosaic of attendees highlights how Trump is seeking to broaden his base of support in times of global uncertainty, challenging traditions established in previous ceremonies.

Santiago Abascal and his controversial presence at Donald Trump’s inauguration

Santiago Abascalleader of the Vox political party, will be one of the international attendees at the inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Abascal has been invited in his capacity as president of the European Patriotas party, a coalition that brings together far-right movements from several countries, such as Marine Le Pen (National Group), Matteo Salvini (La Liga)and other European populist leaders.

The leader of Vox has been a controversial figure in Spanish politics, known for his critical statements on issues such as immigration, national sovereignty, and the defense of traditional values ​​in an increasingly diverse and multicultural society. Abascal has used his platform to question the European Union’s progressive policies, accusing the institutions of undermining national sovereignty and promoting a multicultural agenda that he says “distorts traditional European values.”

In addition to his participation in Trump’s ceremony, Abascal has been at the center of various controversies both nationally and internationally. Recently, he compared the Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro with the president of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyenensuring that the government of Pedro Sanchez It was only “aligned” with authoritarian governments or supposedly undemocratic European institutions.

Trump, for his part, has chosen to invite international figures who share an ideology closer to his own, such as far-right leaders or populists who question globalization and progressive policies. Abascal is one of the representatives of this current that will seek to strengthen its presence in key international events such as the inauguration of the next American president, which generates a strong debate about the role of these leaders on the global stage.

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albareshas downplayed this invitation, and has assured that Abascal’s participation is merely personal and does not represent an official position of the Spanish Government. As specified, Spain will be represented by the ambassador in Washington, Angeles Moreno Bauas on previous occasions, since in inaugurations in the United States the invitations are not usually to heads of State or Government but “on a personal level,” Albares added.

Why has Donald Trump ignored Pedro Sánchez for his inauguration?

Donald Trump has decided not to invite the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, to his inauguration, a decision that reflects the deep ideological and political differences between both leaders. These differences manifest themselves in a wide range of key issues, including:

  • Economic and fiscal policy: While Sánchez defends a progressive agenda that promotes greater investment in social welfare, education and environmental policies, Trump maintains a more conservative stance focused on reducing public spending, reducing taxes and less state intervention in the economy. The former president has prioritized the elimination of regulations and the promotion of the free market, aspects that clash with the socialist and expansive vision of Pedro Sánchez.
  • Immigration: Trump has adopted a tough and restrictive stance on immigration, promoting mass deportation policies and strengthening the border with Mexico. In contrast, Sánchez has defended a more inclusive and humanitarian immigration policy, advocating an approach based on reception, integration and respect for the human rights of immigrants, especially in vulnerable contexts.
  • Climate change: Pedro Sánchez has been a fervent defender of the Paris Agreement and has promoted ambitious measures to combat climate change, such as the transition to renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, for example, in the National Integrated Energy Plan and Climate (2023-2030) or the Decarbonization Strategy to 2050, among other strategies currently in force. The New Yorker, on the other hand, adopted skeptical positions on climate change during his previous term, showing reluctance towards international agreements and prioritizing the use of fossil fuels.
  • International relations: While Sánchez has sought to strengthen multilateral cooperation and European integration, Trump has adopted a more isolationist and unilateral perspective, prioritizing national interests and questioning traditional alliances with organizations such as the European Union and NATO.
  • Social and gender rights: In the social sphere, the Spanish president has defended progressive policies in favor of gender equality, LGTBI rights and inclusion in the workplace. Trump, for his part, has shown a more traditionalist stance on these issues, questioning and limiting certain rights, such as in the case of trans women in sports competitions or gender affirmation surgeries.

International leaders in Trump’s orbit

Among the most prominent names on Donald Trump’s guest list are Viktor Orbánthe controversial Prime Minister of Hungary, known for his autocratic and Eurosceptic approach, and Giorgia Melonileader of the Italian far-right party Fratelli d’Italia. Both leaders have promoted a political agenda similar to that of Donald Trump, focused on immigration issues, national sovereignty and conservative policies.

The former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro He has also been invited to the ceremony, despite ongoing investigations into his involvement in the attempted coup in Brazil. Bolsonaro has requested authorization to travel to the United States with the aim of attending this event that symbolizes the reconfiguration of international alliances beyond traditional conventions.

In addition to European and Latin American leaders, Trump has extended invitations to figures such as Nigel Faragethe British euroskeptic who was one of the most influential voices in the Brexit process, and Eric Zemmourleader of the Reconquista party in France, another prominent advocate of conservative and anti-immigration policies.

From Latin America, in addition to Jair Bolsonaro, he has also been invited Nayib Bukelepresident of El Salvador, who has maintained a firm stance on issues of security, economic management and sovereignty. Added to this list Daniel Noboapresident of Ecuador, who has adopted a populist and nationalist approach aligned with Trump’s proposals regarding economic management and national security.

Javier Milei, president of Argentina, joins this trend of populist leaders who seek to strengthen their positions on free market issues, reduction of public spending and less interventionist policies. Milei has proven to be a strong defender of economic freedom, largely agreeing with Trump’s proposals regarding minimizing regulations and decreasing government influence in domestic affairs.

The American has also extended an invitation to the Chinese president Xi Jinpingalthough his presence is unlikely due to the restrictive stance of the Chinese president regarding his international travel in recent years.

Break with tradition: the election of international leaders at Trump’s inauguration

Donald Trump has chosen to break with tradition by inviting international leaders like his ideology, instead of following the established practice of including only ambassadors or diplomatic figures at the presidential inauguration.

This decision reflects his strategy of consolidating a broader and more diverse base of support, incorporating political figures who share his populist and nationalist approach. Through this tactic, Trump seeks to show a more determined stance aligned with his vision of global leadership that challenges established norms, promoting an agenda of ideological confrontation on issues such as immigration, trade and national sovereignty.

By inviting leaders such as Viktor Orbán, Giorgia Meloni and Jair Bolsonaro, Trump reinforces his message of breaking with traditional elites and his commitment to a more direct and polarizing approach to international politics.

Chijioke Obinna

I've been passionate about storytelling and journalism since my early days growing up in Lagos. With a background in political science and years of experience in investigative reporting, I aim to bring nuanced perspectives to pressing global issues. Outside of writing, I enjoy exploring Nigeria’s vibrant cultural scene and mentoring young aspiring journalists.