Donald Trump has extended a historic invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration on January 20 in Washington, D.C. This unprecedented gesture, reported by outlets such as CBS News, marks the first time a foreign head of state has been invited to an American presidential inauguration.

The invitation hints at a possible effort by Trump to reset strained U.S.-China relations. However, the context remains complex, as Trump recently threatened new tariffs on China, leaving his true intentions unclear.

Xi Jinping’s decision on whether to accept remains uncertain, but his presence would be groundbreaking and fraught with political risk.

In a related development, Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. This move follows a November dinner between Trump and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, signaling a potential thaw in their contentious relationship.

Meta famously banned Trump from its platforms in 2021, citing risks of inciting violence after his electoral defeat. While Trump’s accounts were reinstated in 2023, tensions have persisted.

Key Highlights:

* Trump has appointed Kari Lake as the new director of Voice of America, signaling a shift toward a more hardline communications strategy.

* He welcomed the resignation of FBI Director Christopher Wray, calling it "a great day for the country."

* Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not receive an invitation to the inauguration.

Trump’s invitation to Xi and Meta’s donation underscore the evolving dynamics in the lead-up to his administration, hinting at both challenges and opportunities in domestic and international relations.