Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, following her recent absence from President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama confirmed, “Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will NOT be attending the upcoming inauguration.”
When asked about her decision, her spokesperson declined to provide an explanation.
Michelle Obama missed President Jimmy Carter’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, citing a “scheduling conflict” while extending her holiday break in Hawaii, the birthplace of President Barack Obama.
The former first lady has maintained a lower public profile since the passing of her mother, Marian Robinson, in May. Speaking at the Democratic National Convention in August, she revealed how deeply her grief affected her. “I still feel her loss so profoundly—I wasn’t even sure I’d be steady enough to stand before you tonight,” she told a packed audience at Chicago’s United Center.
Despite her personal struggles, Michelle Obama remained politically active, headlining multiple campaign events for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris before Election Day.
Her husband Barak Obama will attend
Barack Obama is still expected to attend Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, despite his wife Michelle’s absence, which should come as a surprise, given the couple always attend these events together.
Obama and Donald Trump made waves online on Thursday after appearing unusually chatty during President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service. Their interaction drew attention, given their contentious history.
Notably, before the program began, at the Jimmy Carter funeral, Obama was seen laughing at something Trump said, sparking widespread speculation about their exchange.
