European Right-Wing Leaders Attend Inauguration

European Right-Wing Leaders Set to Attend Trump’s Inauguration

As President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares for his inauguration, a notable contingent of conservative lawmakers and politicians from Europe is set to make an appearance. This group not only consists of mainstream conservatives but also includes leaders from right-wing parties that have recently gained traction in their respective countries.

Among the prominent European leaders attending the inauguration is Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy. Meloni has distinguished herself as one of Europe’s leading conservative figures, aligning closely with Trump’s anti-immigrant stance. She was one of the first world leaders to visit Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate shortly after his election, signaling a strong camaraderie with the incoming president. Meloni’s primary political focus has been on curbing migrant flows into Italy, positioning herself as a staunch ally of Trump within the European context, much to the delight of her supporters.

Notably absent from the guest list is Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, often celebrated by American conservatives as an ideological fellow traveler. Orban’s exclusion has raised eyebrows, particularly since he has been a vocal supporter of Trump. According to Zoltan Kovacs, Hungary’s secretary of state for international communications, Orban was not invited due to tradition, which dictates that heads of state or government are typically not invited to such events. This assertion has been disputed given Trump’s known propensity to break with tradition, as evidenced by his invitations to various global leaders—including Xi Jinping of China, who is sending a representative in his place.

Among those confirmed to attend is Éric Zemmour, a controversial figure from France who has faced legal issues related to inciting racial hatred. Zemmour is known for his rhetoric against immigrants and has positioned himself as a defender of France’s Christian heritage against what he perceives as the dilution of national identity. His recent comments on social media indicate his enthusiasm for Trump’s victory, suggesting that he sees parallels between Trump’s political rise and his own aspirations in France.

Despite Zemmour’s controversial past—the former television pundit garnered only 7 percent of the vote in France’s 2022 presidential election—he will be accompanied by Sarah Knafo, a member of the European Parliament and Zemmour’s partner. This duo aims to use the event as a platform to bolster their political relevance in France.

Meanwhile, France’s more established nationalist political force, the National Rally, plans to send a delegation to the inauguration. However, neither Marine Le Pen nor Jordan Bardella, the party’s current leader, will be in attendance. Although Trump’s anti-immigrant message resonates with the National Rally, Bardella has expressed skepticism about the allure of being photographed alongside Trump during the high-profile inaugural event, reflecting an ongoing struggle within the party to distance itself from more extreme elements.

A German delegation is also anticipated at the inauguration, which will include representatives from both mainstream and far-right parties. Jürgen Hardt from the CDU/CSU, Germany’s leading conservative party, is set to attend alongside Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD has faced scrutiny within Germany, with sections classified as right-extremist by the government, but Chrupalla’s attendance underscores their growing normalization within European political discourse.

The British contingent features several notable figures, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss and Nigel Farage, the former leader of the Brexit Party and current head of Reform UK, an anti-immigrant political group. Farage has long maintained a connection with Trump, having supported his U.S. presidential campaigns in 2016, 2020, and most recently, in the lead-up to the current inauguration. However, Farage may seek to mend relations with Elon Musk during his visit, following public tensions between the two over disagreements regarding far-right figures in the U.K.

As the inauguration approaches, the diversity of attendees—from established leaders to emerging right-wing figures—highlights the shifting political landscape in Europe. The event is set to showcase alliances that transcend national borders and ideologies, suggesting an increasingly interconnected web of right-wing politics that could shape the future of European governance and U.S.-European relations following Trump’s inauguration.