Michelle Obama Will Skip President Trump’s Inauguration

Michelle Obama will not be attending President Trump’s inauguration.

According to an official press release statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama, Barack Obama will be in attendance, but his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, will not be.

The press release read, “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,”

Michelle Obama was also noticeably missing at President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service.

BREAKING: Michelle Obama will not attend Trump's inauguration – AP pic.twitter.com/Qe1sDzA2ky

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 14, 2025

Michelle Obama will not attend Donald Trump’s inauguration after skipping Jimmy Carter’s funeral https://t.co/3OkGnvEMrZ pic.twitter.com/tYxAJ820rU

— New York Post (@nypost) January 14, 2025

Here’s what CNN reported:

Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, her office said Tuesday, without providing an explanation for her decision.

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“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama said.

The decision to forgo attendance at Trump’s formal swearing-in is a break with tradition for the ceremony, in which former presidents and their wives typically participate. Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush will attend the inauguration, his office said, and sources familiar told CNN that former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton also will be there.

Michelle Obama also was not in attendance at a memorial service last week for former President Jimmy Carter, remaining instead in Hawaii. Former President Barack Obama attended the service at the National Cathedral in Washington, sitting next to Trump and engaging in animated conversation with him as the program was getting underway.

Other former first ladies, including Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, both attended the Carter event.

Michelle Obama has spoken openly about her animosity toward Trump, whom she has accused of putting her family’s safety in danger through his rhetoric.

BREAKING: Michelle Obama will reportedly not attend Trump's inauguration, per AP. pic.twitter.com/ac55KjKfh6

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) January 14, 2025

Per AP:

Former first lady Michelle Obama will skip the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, the second time in two weeks that she is not attending a gathering of former U.S. leaders and their spouses, but former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will be there.

Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join their husbands for the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, representatives said.

“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” said a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama that was shared with The Associated Press.

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No explanation was given for why Michelle Obama was skipping Trump’s inauguration. She also did not attend former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington last week. Former Presidents Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton and their spouses attended — except for her.