Fri Jan 17 04:42:53 UTC 2025: ## Michelle Obama Skips Trump’s Inauguration; Other Former Presidents and Spouses Attend
**WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (January 17, 2025)** – Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, marking the second major event she’s missed in recent weeks. This follows her absence from former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week. In contrast, former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, along with their respective spouses, will be present at the January 20th swearing-in ceremony.
A statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama confirmed the former president’s attendance but noted Michelle Obama’s absence, offering no explanation for her decision. The absence is particularly notable given that all three former presidents and their spouses, including Hillary Clinton, attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.
While no reason was given for Michelle Obama’s absence from both events, her outspoken opposition to Trump during the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential campaigns is well-documented. Her memoir detailed her shock at Trump’s victory, and she actively campaigned against him in recent elections. Last fall, she delivered a passionate speech endorsing Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
The stark contrast between Michelle Obama’s absence and the presence of the other former presidents and their spouses highlights the continuing political divisions within the United States. The fact that former Presidents Obama and Trump, despite their political differences, appeared friendly at Carter’s funeral further underscores the complexities of the situation.
First Piper 