Former First Lady Michelle Obama has announced that she will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. Her office confirmed this decision without providing a specific reason. In contrast, former President Barack Obama is expected to be present at the ceremony, alongside former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and their respective spouses, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.
This is not the first significant event Michelle Obama has chosen to miss recently. She was notably absent from former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in Washington, D.C., last week. Advisors indicated that her absence was due to a scheduling conflict, as she was reportedly on an extended holiday vacation in Hawaii at the time.
During Carter’s funeral, President-elect Trump and former President Barack Obama were seen engaging in conversation, a moment that drew attention, especially given Vice President Kamala Harris’s visible reaction. Trump later commented on the interaction, expressing surprise at how amicable it appeared, stating, “We just got along.”
As the inauguration approaches, President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are scheduled to participate in various events, including a “Victory rally” at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., and inaugural balls on the evening before the swearing-in ceremony. The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee has emphasized that these celebrations aim to reflect the historic return to the White House and the American people’s decisive vote to “Make America Great Again.”
Michelle Obama’s decision to skip the inauguration has sparked discussions, especially considering her previous expressions of discontent during Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. In her memoir, “Becoming,” she mentioned that she “stopped even trying to smile” during the event, reflecting her sentiments at the time.
While the former First Lady’s absence is notable, the inauguration is set to proceed with the attendance of other prominent political figures, marking the commencement of President-elect Trump’s second term in office.