Michelle Obama will not be attending the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, following her absence at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week.
Her spokesperson has not disclosed the reason behind her decision to skip these events.
Scheduling Conflicts and a Quiet Public Life
The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama confirmed her absence from the inauguration to the Associated Press, stating that while former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the swearing-in ceremony, Michelle Obama will not be present.
She also missed Carter’s memorial at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, citing a “scheduling conflict” as she continued her extended holiday break in Hawaii, the birthplace of her husband.
Michelle Obama, who turned 61 on Friday, has maintained a quieter public profile since the passing of her mother, Marian Robinson, in May.
In her speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, she shared the emotional weight of her grief, revealing that it nearly kept her from stepping on stage to address the crowd.
A Shift from Traditional Inauguration Attendance
While it’s customary for former first families to attend inaugurations, regardless of political party, Michelle Obama’s absence marks a deviation from the norm.
However, her decision mirrors that of former First Lady Melania Trump, who also skipped President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
In contrast, former President Barack Obama is still planning to attend Trump’s inauguration.
Tense Moments at Carter’s Memorial
Interestingly, Barack Obama and Donald Trump were spotted having a lighthearted conversation at Carter’s memorial service, which attracted considerable attention given their fraught history.
Trump had previously pushed the “birther” conspiracy theory, questioning Obama’s birthplace, and Obama famously roasted Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a moment that many believe contributed to Trump’s decision to run for president in 2016.
Reactions from Other Dignitaries
At the memorial service, the Trumps’ arrival sparked varied reactions from other political figures.
Former Second Lady Karen Pence notably refused to acknowledge them, staying seated as they passed by.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, however, shook Donald Trump’s hand, as did former Vice President Al Gore.
The strained relationship between the Pences and the Trumps stemmed from the January 6th Capitol insurrection, when chants of “hang Mike Pence” were heard from the crowd.
Former President George W. Bush also made headlines for his interactions with the Trumps.
Upon arriving at the memorial, Bush initially bypassed them to greet Obama, even offering a friendly tap on Obama’s belly.
Later, he did shake hands with the incoming president.
Public Tensions and Political Divides
While Bush maintained a distance from Trump in some ways, he has not shied away from warning about domestic terrorism, particularly in the aftermath of January 6th.
This has led to a public exchange of barbs between Trump and Bush, with Trump calling Bush’s presidency “failed” and accusing him of being an uninspiring leader.
Trump also mocked Bush’s brother, Jeb, during the 2016 campaign, a jab that stuck with many observers.
In the midst of these political tensions, it remains to be seen how the relationships between these figures will continue to evolve as the new administration takes office.
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