Trump invites Xi and Orban to inauguration, breaking protocol
The President-elect of the USA, Donald Trump, invited the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, to his inauguration in Washington, CBS News reported. Among the possible guests mentioned is the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban.
According to CBS, citing several sources informed about 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 emphasised his good relations with Xi Jinping and praised his ruthlessness and intelligence. He also claimed that a "wise" president could manage relations with China, Russia, or North Korea.
According to CBS, the committee preparing the ceremony also plans the participation of other foreign leaders. Among them may be Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who on Monday met with Trump and his advisors in Florida. A source from the television reported that Orban is still considering whether to come to Washington in January.
Trump's transition team did not directly address the CBS reports. Still, 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 a single 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 called 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.
