Former first lady Michelle Obama has announced that she will not be attending Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration, as confirmed by a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama. While former President Barack Obama will be present at the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies, Michelle Obama has chosen not to participate in the event.
This decision marks a departure from the tradition where former presidents and their wives typically attend the formal swearing-in ceremony. In contrast, former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush have confirmed their attendance at the inauguration. Additionally, sources familiar with the matter have indicated that former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton will also be present.
Michelle Obama's absence was also noted at a recent memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter, where she remained in Hawaii while Barack Obama attended the service in Washington. Notably, other former first ladies, including Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, were in attendance at the Carter event.
Michelle Obama has been vocal about her disapproval of Trump, accusing him of jeopardizing her family's safety through his rhetoric. Despite her personal feelings, she extended a welcoming gesture to Trump and Melania Trump in 2017, hosting them for tea at the White House ahead of that year's inauguration.
Reflecting on the experience of witnessing Trump's inauguration, Michelle Obama expressed mixed emotions, noting the lack of diversity and representation on display during the event. She highlighted the absence of a broader reflection of America's diversity on the stage during the swearing-in ceremony.
