WEST PALM BEACH, Florida –
Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, the second time in two weeks she will not attend a gathering of former U.S. leaders and their spouses.
Former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will meet again for the inauguration. Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join their husbands for the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, representatives said.
“It has been confirmed that former President Barack Obama will attend the 60th inaugural ceremony. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” said a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama that was shared with The Associated Press.
No explanation was given as to why Michelle Obama did not attend Trump’s inauguration. He also did not attend last week’s state funeral in Washington for former President Jimmy Carter. Former presidents Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton and their spouses attended, except her.
Bill Clinton will attend the swearing-in ceremony, a person familiar with the former president’s schedule confirmed to the AP. Hillary Clinton will also attend, a spokesperson said.
George W. Bush’s office said he and former first lady Laura Bush will attend.
Michelle Obama was the only wife absent from the service last week at Washington National Cathedral, where her husband and Trump sat side by side and chatted and laughed like old friends despite the former Democratic president’s history of political animosity. and the returning Republican. .
All three former presidents and their wives attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, including Hillary Clinton, after she lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump. Carter also attended.
