Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Trump's inauguration on Monday. This marks her second recent absence from gatherings of former presidents and their spouses. Last week, she was also absent from former President Jimmy Carter's funeral.
Former President Barack Obama, however, will be present at the Jan. 20 inauguration. He will join former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, along with their spouses.
"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. The reason for her absence is unclear.
At Carter’s funeral, held on Jan. 9 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Trump, Bush, Clinton, and their spouses were all in attendance. Barack Obama also attended, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband. Former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife were present as well.
Former President Bill Clinton and former first lady Hillary Clinton are set to attend next week's swearing-in ceremony. The Office of George W. Bush also confirmed that he and former first lady Laura Bush will be there.
During Carter’s funeral, Trump and Obama were seen setting aside their political differences. They chatted and laughed despite their history of political clashes.
All three former presidents and their spouses attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. This included Hillary Clinton, who had just lost the 2016 election to Trump. Carter also made an appearance.
In contrast, President-elect Trump and Melania Trump skipped President Biden's inauguration in 2021.