Michelle Obama to skip Donald Trump's inauguration

By: Shawn
Michelle Obama, the former first lady, will not attend Donald Trump's forthcoming presidential inauguration, marking her second absence from a key meeting of US political heavyweights this month.

Former president Barack Obama joins former first lady Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 20.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Michelle Obama will not attend the 20 January event, where her husband, former President Barack Obama, will be joined by fellow formers Bill Clinton and George W Bush. Her administration gave no reason for her scheduled absence from the occasion at the US Capitol.


The news comes after her noticeable absence at former President Jimmy Carter's state burial last week, where Barack Obama was spotted in fairly friendly discussion with Trump, despite their traditionally strained relationship. Michelle Obama was in Hawaii at the time.

"Former President Barack Obama has been confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremony. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the forthcoming inauguration, according to a statement from the Obamas' office.

The decision is an uncommon departure from established practice, which requires previous presidents and their wives to attend presidential inaugurations regardless of party membership. All surviving previous presidents and first women attended Trump's 2017 inauguration, including Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in the 2016 election.

The Associated Press reports that both Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join their husbands to this month's event.

Obama has already expressed her thoughts about Trump's first inauguration, noting in a 2023 podcast "uncontrollable sobbing" and the emotional challenge of seeing what she described as a ceremony missing in diversity and failing to reflect "the broader sense of America".

She has also stated that she could "never forgive" Trump's rhetoric, which she claims endangered her family's safety.

Despite her reservations, Michelle Obama took part in the typical transition rituals in 2017, hosting Melania Trump for tea at the White House prior of the inauguration.

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