Michelle Obama Breaks Tradition by Declining to Attend Donald Trump’s Inauguration Ceremony
In a significant departure from longstanding tradition, former First Lady Michelle Obama has decided not to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump next week, as confirmed by her office on Tuesday. This announcement marks a notable break from the customary practice where former presidents and their spouses typically attend the swearing-in ceremonies of incoming presidents, regardless of political affiliations.
The Obamas’ office released a brief statement clarifying the situation: “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. However, former First Lady Michelle Obama will not be present at the upcoming inauguration.” The statement did not elaborate on the reasons behind her absence, leaving room for speculation about her motivations.
Michelle Obama’s decision stands in contrast to the plans of other former presidents and their spouses. For instance, former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton, who served as Secretary of State, have confirmed their attendance at the inauguration. Similarly, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, will also be present, according to reports from The Associated Press. This makes Michelle Obama’s absence even more conspicuous, as it highlights her deliberate choice to step away from this tradition.
It is worth noting that Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, did not attend the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2020, which some observers have cited as a potential factor in Michelle Obama’s decision. However, her absence from Trump’s inauguration is not an isolated incident. Last week, Michelle Obama was also notably absent from the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, held at the Washington National Cathedral. While Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush were all in attendance, along with their respective spouses, Michelle Obama’s absence was once again evident.
Michelle Obama’s decision to skip Trump’s inauguration has reignited discussions about her well-documented disdain for the former president. Although she attended Trump’s 2017 inauguration, her discomfort was palpable. Photographers captured her visibly troubled expression as she and Barack Obama departed the White House, and these images quickly went viral, symbolizing the tension between the Obamas and the incoming administration.
In her 2018 memoir, Becoming, Michelle Obama openly expressed her disapproval of Trump, particularly his promotion of the false birther conspiracy theory, which she believed endangered her family’s safety. She wrote unequivocally, “For this, I’d never forgive him.” Her candid reflections in the memoir provided a rare glimpse into her personal feelings about Trump and the impact of his actions on her family.
More recently, in 2023, while promoting her latest book on a podcast, Michelle Obama revisited her thoughts on Trump’s 2017 inauguration. She expressed disappointment at the lack of diversity among the attendees and criticized the ceremony for failing to reflect “the broader sense of America.” Her comments underscored her belief that the event did not align with the inclusive values she and her husband championed during their time in the White House.
Michelle Obama’s absence from Trump’s inauguration is not just a personal decision but also a symbolic gesture that speaks volumes about the deep political and ideological divides in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the tensions that have characterized the relationship between the Obamas and the Trump administration, even years after their respective terms in office.