Update: Far-right Romanian politician Călin Georgescu says he declined invitation to Trump inauguration
<p><strong>Update:</strong> In response to Călin Georgescu’s statements, Romania's ambassador to the United States, Andrei Muraru, told <a href="http://news.ro/">News.ro</a> that the only official invitations to events related to the inauguration of Donald Trump were sent to accredited heads of diplomatic missions. He also explained that in addition to official invitations, private invitations or public access tickets may be issued, which only allow entry to specific events, typically in general audience areas. Foreign dignitaries can request attendance at the inauguration, but access levels are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on available security and protocol resources.</p>
<p>“Mr. Călin Georgescu was not invited to the inauguration ceremony, and his name does not appear among those officially invited by the Inaugural Committee or the US Department of State,” the ambassador said.</p>
<p><strong>Initial story:</strong> Former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu stated during an interview that he was invited to the inauguration ceremony of the US president-elect Donald Trump but declined the invitation, <a href="https://hotnews.ro/calin-georgescu-spune-ca-a-fost-invitat-la-investirea-lui-donald-trump-am-refuzat-1880146">Hotnews.ro</a> reported.</p>
<p>Georgescu told Realitatea Plus host Anca Alexandrescu, whose show he frequents, that he has no reason to go, despite the fact that the right-wing, sovereignist bloc in Romania identified with, and supported Donald Trump’s candidacy for president. </p>
<p>“I have no reason to go. I would go as a dignified person to represent the Romanian people with honor and dignity. You don’t go otherwise. I’m telling you my position. My position is that the time has come for us to stop kneeling before anyone. We can only kneel before God. Because God is the father of the Romanian nation, not Rothschild or Soros,” Călin Georgescu said, referencing American financiers often used to portray Romania’s enemies in far-right circles.</p>
<p>Donald Trump will begin his inauguration ceremonies with a reception on January 18 at his golf course near Washington. The program will continue on January 19 with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where Trump will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a rally at a stadium to celebrate his electoral victory.</p>
<p>The presidential inauguration will take place, as mandated by the US Constitution, on January 20. </p>
<p>Donald Trump will start January 20 with a service at St. John’s Church, followed by a tea at the White House with the outgoing president Joe Biden. The new president will take the oath of office at noon on the steps of the Capitol. Inside the Capitol, he will later sign his first presidential executive orders for this second term. Events will follow on January 21 as well.</p>
<p>According to The New York Times, Donald Trump has raised over USD 170 million for his inauguration events, a record amount to which major corporations, such as Amazon and Meta, have significantly contributed. Commentators say they have done so to curry favor with the new president.</p>
<p><em><a href="mailto:radu@romania-insider.com">radu@romania-insider.com</a></em></p>
<p><em>(Photo source: Inquam Photos | George Calin)</em></p>