Trump invites Xi Jinping to inauguration, breaks tradition
The President-elect of the USA, Donald Trump, invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping to his presidential inauguration in Washington, CBS News reported. Among the possible guests mentioned is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
7:46 AM EST, December 12, 2024
According to CBS, citing several sources familiar with the matter, Trump invited the Chairman of the People's Republic of China at the beginning of November, right after his electoral victory. It is unclear how Xi responded. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to the station's inquiries.
Although Trump is one of the biggest critics of China, he has repeatedly emphasized his good relations with Xi Jinping and praised his ruthlessness and intelligence. He also claimed that a "wise" president will be able to manage relations with China, Russia, or North Korea.
According to CBS, the committee preparing the ceremony also plans for the participation of other foreign leaders. Among them may be Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who met with Trump and his advisors in Florida on Monday. A source from the network reported that Orban is still considering whether to come to Washington in January.
Trump's transition team did not directly address the CBS reports, but Karoline Leavitt, who will serve as a White House spokeswoman in the new administration, stated that "world leaders are lining up to meet with President Trump because they know he will soon return to power and restore peace through American strength worldwide."
As CBS notes, the participation of foreign leaders is not a tradition in U.S. presidential inaugurations. Records maintained by the State Department since 1874 do not show such occurrence.
Trump behaves as if he has already taken power
So far, Trump has already met with several foreign leaders, including the presidents of Argentina, Mexico, France, and Ukraine, British Prince William, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he recently referred to as a "governor," suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of America.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal on Monday, some Democrats privately expressed outrage that the current President, Joe Biden, allows Trump's diplomatic activities to overshadow the actions of the White House and create the impression that he has already taken power.
