Michelle Obama will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, a spokesperson for the former first lady confirmed to PEOPLE on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
The decision comes just days after Michelle Obama was absent from the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, where she would have been seated next to President-elect Trump. At the time, CNN reported that the former first lady was still vacationing in Hawaii and that her absence was due to a scheduling conflict, according to her advisers.
The upcoming inauguration marks Trump’s second term, following his 2016 election victory over former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Presidential inaugurations traditionally see attendance from former presidents and their families, as a symbol of the peaceful transfer of power.
The Obamas’ Previous Involvement in Inauguration Ceremonies
In January 2017, Barack and Michelle Obama attended Trump’s first inauguration, along with outgoing Vice President Joe Biden, then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter. The event was a significant moment, as it marked the beginning of Trump’s presidency after the 2016 election. The Obamas, along with the Clintons and the Bushes, were part of a long-standing tradition in which former presidents and their families participate in the ceremonial transfer of power.
In addition to the former political figures, Trump’s first inauguration featured his family and close associates, including wife Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner, sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, daughter Tiffany Trump, and his youngest son Barron Trump.
Michelle Obama’s Absence and Continued Holiday
While it’s uncommon for former first ladies to miss such significant events, Michelle Obama’s absence has drawn attention, especially after missing the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter in late 2023. As reported by CNN, the former first lady was not in attendance because she was still vacationing in Hawaii, with advisers citing the scheduling conflict as the reason for her absence.
Her decision to skip Trump’s second inauguration marks a continued absence from the typical public duties of former first ladies. It follows a broader trend of Michelle and Barack Obama maintaining a relatively low profile in the political sphere since leaving office in 2017.
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Trump’s Controversial Absence at Biden’s 2021 Inauguration
The 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden was marked by the absence of Donald Trump, who became the first sitting president in more than 150 years to skip the swearing-in ceremony of his successor. Trump, who had lost the 2020 election to Biden, announced his decision not to attend in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in January 2021.
The last time a sitting president declined to attend the inauguration of the incoming president was in 1869, when President Andrew Johnson refused to participate in Ulysses S. Grant’s swearing-in ceremony.
Trump’s Upcoming Inaugural Events
As Trump prepares for his second inauguration, he has announced plans to host a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” on Jan. 19, the evening before the official swearing-in ceremony. The rally, which will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., is expected to draw a large crowd, with the venue holding up to 20,000 people. Trump has described the event as a “victory rally you’ll never forget,” though it remains unclear how many supporters are expected to attend.
This rally will mark Trump’s first public event in Washington, D.C., since the rally he held on Jan. 6, 2021, which culminated in the Capitol riot. The event is likely to be a focal point for his supporters as he begins his second term.
A New Chapter for Trump’s Political Legacy
As Trump’s second presidential term approaches, his actions leading up to and following his inauguration are expected to continue shaping the political landscape. The absence of figures like Michelle Obama, who has long been a respected public figure, contrasts with the active participation of other former presidents and their families in the tradition of peaceful transfers of power.
While Michelle Obama’s absence may come as a disappointment to some, it reflects her desire to stay focused on her own initiatives, including advocacy for social justice, education, and women’s empowerment. As she continues to prioritize her own projects, including her bestselling memoir Becoming and her work with the Obama Foundation, Michelle Obama has carved out a space for herself apart from the political events of her husband’s presidency.
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Despite her decision not to attend Trump’s inauguration, Michelle Obama remains an influential figure whose legacy extends far beyond the political sphere. With continued support from millions of fans and followers, she continues to use her platform to inspire and advocate for meaningful change across the globe.