Former First Lady Michelle Obama has announced she will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, marking her second recent absence from events involving former U.S. leaders and their spouses. According to representatives, former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, along with their wives, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, are set to attend the January 20 swearing-in ceremony.
A statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama confirmed the former president’s attendance but clarified that Michelle Obama would not be joining him. No reason was provided for her decision in the announcement shared with The New York Times.
“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies,” the statement said. “Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
Mrs. Obama has expressed personal disdain for the president-elect, who pushed the lie that her husband was not a U.S. citizen and has a history of making racist and sexist statements.
“For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us,” she said during her speech at the Democratic National Convention in August.
“See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black,” she added.
This decision follows her absence at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, held at Washington National Cathedral last week. That service was attended by former Presidents Trump, Obama, Bush, and Clinton, accompanied by their spouses—with the exception of Michelle Obama.
At the service, Barack Obama and his successor seemed to be more chummy, bothering liberals.
NBC is at a loss for words 🤣 pic.twitter.com/vG5tqeidrT
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) January 9, 2025
Days after the event, the incoming president reposted a video on his Truth Social account that appeared to reveal what he and Barack Obama were discussing.
HOLY SH*T 🚨 President Trump just posted this exchange with Barack Obama. The Troll King 🔥
WE ARE SO BACK
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) January 14, 2025
Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States at Noon on January 20th.
