Michelle Obama Ditches Trump’s Inauguration: What’s Behind Her Decision?

Former First Lady Michelle Obama has announced her absence from the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, marking the second major event with U.S. presidents and their spouses that she has missed this month. Her husband, former President Barack Obama, is set to attend, alongside former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush.

A statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama, shared with The Associated Press, confirmed her decision. It read, “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.” No reason was provided for her absence.

This follows her notable absence from the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, an event that gathered all living U.S. presidents and their spouses. Reports from CNN cited a scheduling conflict as the reason, stating that Michelle Obama remained in Hawaii on an “extended vacation.”

In contrast, both Obamas, along with the Clintons and Bushes, attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, despite Hillary Clinton’s defeat in the 2016 election. Jimmy Carter was also present at that event.

Notably, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump did not attend President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. This absence followed the January 6 Capitol insurrection, where his supporters attempted to disrupt the certification of Biden’s electoral victory. With this, Trump became the first president in over a century and a half to skip his successor’s inauguration.

Throughout Biden’s tenure, Trump has consistently claimed, without evidence, that the 2020 election was rigged against him, further complicating his relationship with the ongoing political landscape.