Updated Jan 20, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Day 1: Tracking the notable attendees of Trump's inaugural events

Seven people sit in a row at the inauguration — Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Callista Gingrich, former U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner, Debbie Boehner and former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy arrive at Trump's inauguration. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/AFP via Getty Images

Global leaders, current and former U.S. lawmakers, and heads of major U.S. companies descended on Washington, DC, for President Trump's inaugural events over the long weekend.

Why it matters: Trump takes office with Republican control of Congress, support from business and foreign leaders and what's seen as more cultural acceptance of the MAGA movement.

Follow Axios' live coverage of Inauguration Day.
Trump's inauguration is taking place inside the Capitol rotunda due to weather.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served with Trump during his first term, was also in attendance.

We'll be tracking some of the notable attendees. Among them:

Current and former members of Congress

Former Republican House Speakers Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), Newt Gingrich (Ga.), and John Boehner (Ohio) trickled into the Capitol on Monday.

Notably absent was former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) who said she wouldn't attend the inauguration, multiple outlets reported.
Former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was in attendance with his wife, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, who served during Trump's first term and quit her role after the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Kevin McCarthy and Marjorie Taylor Greene greet each other in the rotunda — McCarthy greets Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Newt Gingrich and Mitch McConnell shake hands. Elaine Chao stands next to them — Gingrich (right) greets McConnell and Chao. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

John Boehner wearing a suit walks with his wife Debbie Boehner, wearing a pink blouse, through the rotunda. — Boehner and his wife, Debbie, arrive at the inauguration. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip S — Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Tech and business leaders

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, owner of X
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta
Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, owner of the Washington Post
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google
Rupert Murdoch, former executive chairman of Fox Corp., joined inauguration church services
Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok
Joe Rogan, host of "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple

Elon Musk stands for a selfie with Dusty Johnson — Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) takes a picture with Elon Musk. Photo: Shawn Thew/Getty Images

Sam Altman talks with John Paul and Logan Paul — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman talks with boxer Jake Paul (left) and wrestler Logan Paul. Photo: Alexander Drago/AFP via Getty Images

Mark Zuckerberg. Photo: Kenny Holston via Pool/Getty Images

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez stand among others at the inauguration — From left, Lauren Sanchez, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend the inauguration. Photo: Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images

Rupert Murdoch sits in church — Former Executive Chairman of Fox Corp. Rupert Murdoch (left) attends services at St. John's Episcopal Church. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Dana White among a group at the inauguration — UFC CEO Dana White arrives ahead of the ceremony: Ricky Carioti/AFP via Getty Images

Tik Tok CEO sits among others at the inauguration — TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attend the event; Trump has vowed to delay the ban of the app in the U.S. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Joe Rogan among audience — Media personality Joe Rogan stands for a benediction. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Tim Cook laughs among a group of people — Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the inauguration. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via Getty Images

Foreign leaders

Right-wing leaders, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, were in attendance.

Also at the inauguration was Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who held meetings with Vice President Vance and Musk ahead of the event, the AP reported.