DIY VIRAL
It appears former President Barack Obama will have to attend Donald Trump's swearing-in without his wife by his side.
Source: Anadolu/Getty
Just days after Michelle Obama made headlines for missing Jimmy Carter's state funeral, she confirmed that she will not attend Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration either. A spokesperson for the former couple confirmed Obama's absence from PEOPLE Tuesday, January 14.
Confirmation that the former first lady will miss Trump's inauguration comes days after Michelle missed Jimmy Carter's state funeral, where she was expected to be seated next to the president-elect. At the time, CNN's Jeff Zeleny reported that the Become The author was “still in Hawaii on an extended vacation” during the funeral, with her advisors attributing her absence to a scheduling conflict.
The inauguration ceremony, which will take place on January 20, will be the second for Trump, who previously won the 2016 presidential election against former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Presidential inaugurations are typically attended by former presidents and their families, with the Obamas both present at Trump's inauguration in January 2017. Outgoing Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton and the Former President Bill Clinton, former President George W. Bush and former President Jimmy Carter were also in attendance.
Trump did not attend President Joe Biden's inauguration in January 2021 following his defeat in 2020, making him the first outgoing president in more than 150 years to skip the ceremony. While it's unclear why Michelle Obama won't be in attendance this time, it might have something to do with Trump's refusal to attend Biden's inauguration ceremony.
DIY VIRAL
