Nationwide — Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, marking another major public event she has missed in recent weeks. This follows her absence at former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington.
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are confirmed to attend Trump’s inauguration at the Capitol. Former first ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton will also be there with their husbands, representatives confirmed.
No reason was given for her absence, though she also missed former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week. At Carter’s funeral, Michelle was the only spouse absent, while while her husband sat next to Trump. Despite their political rivalry, Barack Obama and Donald Trump were seen chatting and laughing during the funeral service.
Michelle Obama has been vocal in her opposition to Trump, actively campaigning against him in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections. In her memoir, she criticized Trump’s “birther” campaign that questioned Barack Obama’s citizenship.
Last year, she supported Kamala Harris during the election, warning that women’s rights would be at risk if Trump returned to the White House.
In 2017, all three former presidents and their spouses attended Trump’s first inauguration, including Hillary Clinton, who had lost to Trump in the 2016 election.