Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, her office confirmed on Tuesday, breaking with the tradition of former first families participating in the event.
A statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama confirmed that former President Barack Obama will attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies, while Michelle Obama will not. No reason for her absence was provided.
The decision contrasts with the participation of other former first families. Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush have confirmed their attendance, and sources told CNN that Bill and Hillary Clinton will also be present.
Michelle Obama’s absence follows another recent decision to forgo a major political event. Last week, she did not attend the memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter, opting to remain in Hawaii, while Barack Obama attended the service at the National Cathedral in Washington.
The former first lady has been vocal about her disapproval of Trump, accusing him of endangering her family’s safety through his rhetoric. However, she set aside her personal feelings in 2017, hosting Trump and then-First Lady Melania Trump for tea at the White House before his first inauguration.
Reflecting on that experience in a 2023 podcast, Michelle Obama said it was an emotional moment, describing her reaction to witnessing Trump’s inauguration. “There were tears, there was that emotion,” she said, adding that she felt the event lacked diversity and representation.
Trump himself did not attend President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021, citing false claims that he had won the 2020 election.
