Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, marking the second notable absence in two weeks by the former first lady from events involving former presidents and their spouses. The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama confirmed her decision, providing no explanation for the absence. Former President Barack Obama, however, will attend the ceremony, along with former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and their respective spouses.
The news follows Michelle Obama's absence from the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter last week, where her husband joined other former presidents and their wives, including Donald and Melania Trump, at Washington National Cathedral. At that event, Trump and Obama were seen conversing and sharing light moments despite a history of political tensions.
While Michelle Obama has not publicly commented on her decision, her history of vocal criticism against Trump is well-documented. In her 2018 memoir, she expressed shock at Trump's victory and denounced his promotion of the "birther" conspiracy theory questioning Barack Obama's citizenship. During the 2024 presidential campaign, she campaigned for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, delivering a fiery speech in Michigan accusing Trump of endangering women's rights and urging men to support Harris.
All three former presidents and their wives attended Trump's first inauguration in 2017, along with former President Carter. This time, Hillary Clinton will accompany Bill Clinton to the ceremony, while Laura Bush will join her husband, George W. Bush.
The upcoming inauguration will include performances by country star Carrie Underwood, opera singer Christopher Macchio, and the '70s disco group Village People, a staple of Trump rallies. Underwood will perform "America the Beautiful," accompanied by the Armed Forces Choir and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. The Village People are slated to perform at one of Trump's inaugural balls, reflecting the president-elect's signature flair for theatrical events.
The absence of Michelle Obama also coincides with comments made by Melania Trump about the challenges she faced during her first transition into the White House in 2017. Speaking to Fox & Friends, she claimed the outgoing Obama administration had withheld critical information during the move. "We didn't have much of the information... But this time, I already have the plans and have selected the furniture," she said, referencing her preparation for the upcoming term.
The absence of the former first lady has sparked discussion, particularly given her past role as a vocal critic of Trump. Her decision not to attend further underscores the strained relationship between the Obamas and the Trumps, despite Barack Obama's public gestures of civility.
