On Inauguration Day, the Capitol Rotunda buzzed with a diverse gathering that included four of the wealthiest individuals in the world, five former U.S. presidents, notable tech leaders, corporate giants, and two visiting foreign dignitaries. President Donald Trump hosted an eclectic mix of guests, which ranged from Supreme Court justices to China’s vice president, as well as the CEO of TikTok—a platform that has drawn concerns regarding national security. This eclectic assembly was a blend of traditional and unconventional invitees, all situated prominently in view of the new president taking the oath of office.
Among the notable attendees, Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s CEO, occupied a seat next to Tulsi Gabbard, who has been nominated by Trump to take the helm of the intelligence community. The president had worked over the weekend to help stave off a ban on TikTok, which is often viewed as a risk given its links to China. Interestingly, Trump has credited the social network with contributing to his previous election success but has warned that it could face a ban unless a suitable U.S.-approved buyer can be found.
In a notable turn, Joe Rogan, one of the most influential podcasters globally, engaged in a lengthy interview with Trump just before the recent election, offering his endorsement a day prior. This gesture did not go unnoticed, as Trump has publicly expressed appreciation for Rogan’s support.
Adding to the notable roster were several billionaires and tech leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg from Facebook, Jeff Bezos from Amazon, Sundar Pichai of Google, and Elon Musk of Tesla. Musk, now recognized as the richest man globally, took a seat closest to Trump, accompanying the president’s wife, Melania, and their children in the seating arrangement, while also being positioned ahead of some Cabinet nominees. Across the dais was Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, the global leader in luxury goods.
Barron Trump, the youngest of Trump’s children, garnered attention for being credited with enhancing the campaign’s online presence by introducing his father to influential internet figures. At 18, Barron is currently a business student at New York University while also having a bedroom made ready for him in the White House.
Kai Trump, one of the president’s granddaughters and an emerging social media influencer with a passion for golf, has also gained considerable popularity in recent months. At just 17, she made appearances at the Republican National Convention and delivered brief remarks at a rally, boosted by her father, Donald Trump Jr., known for his loyalty to Trump and his active role in the campaign.
The seating arrangement also showcased major financial supporters of the Trump campaign, such as Miriam Adelson and John Paulson. Adelson, who co-owns the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, along with billionaire investor Paulson, received significant attention through their substantial contributions to the campaign, further amplified by a record-setting Palm Beach fundraiser that raised over $50 million last April.
Prominent former presidents, including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and the outgoing Joe Biden, were given special places at the ceremony. Their spouses, with the exception of Michelle Obama, also occupied prime seating, as she previously announced her decision to skip the inauguration without specifying her reasons.
In a historic first, Trump extended invitations to foreign leaders, securing them premier seats as well. Among them were Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who were seated adjacent to China’s Vice President Han Zheng, who represented President Xi Jinping at the ceremony. Nearby was also Xie Feng, the Chinese ambassador to the U.S., marking a unique gathering of global figures.
