Did Trump snub Philippines’ Marcos Jnr by not inviting him to his inauguration?

Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy in doubt after president-elect personally invited Chinese President Xi Jinping

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A November 7 newspaper in Manila shows Trump’s win. The Philippine capital was abuzz earlier this month with talk about President Marcos Jnr’s exclusion from Trump’s swearing-in. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:11am, 17 Jan 2025

Speculation is rampant in the Philippines regarding US president-elect Donald Trump’s decision to personally invite Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration, a move seen as a reflection of his unpredictable approach to US foreign policy and a perceived snub to President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr.

Manila, a city often gripped by viral political rumour and social media disinformation, was abuzz earlier this month with talk about Marcos Jnr’s exclusion from Trump’s swearing-in on Monday.

Harry Roque, former spokesman for former president Rodrigo Duterte, wrote on Facebook on January 7 that Trump’s invite to Xi “signals his willingness to resume friendly ties with China”.

He added: “Who will now side with [Marcos] Junior [on the South China Sea issue]?”

“Of course, the non-invitation to Junior signifies that he’s not too important to Trump,” said Roque, who has been on the run from authorities since September for refusing to attend an inquiry by Marcos Jnr’s congressional allies into his participation in illegal online gambling.

The sun rises behind the US Capitol in Washington DC where president-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on January 20. Photo: AFP

The presidential palace did not address Roque’s snub claim. Instead, it announced that Marcos Jnr would be represented by his envoy to Washington, Jose Manuel Romualdez, who is also the president’s cousin.