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Michelle Obama will not attend the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, her office confirmed on Tuesday. The announcement marks a break from her presence at every presidential inauguration since 2008.
A brief statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama confirmed that former President Barack Obama will attend the ceremony but noted his wife’s absence. No reason for Michelle Obama’s decision was provided.
“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” the statement read.
While Michelle Obama has been a consistent figure at inaugural ceremonies, including Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, her absence this year raises questions about her choice not to participate. Her attendance in 2017 was marked by noticeable discomfort, a topic she addressed publicly years later.
In her podcast, The Light Podcast, Michelle Obama reflected on witnessing Trump’s 2017 swearing-in, saying it was a stark contrast to her and her husband’s vision of America. “To sit on that stage and watch the opposite of what we represented on display… there was no diversity, no color on that stage,” she said.
The former first lady described the emotional toll of leaving the White House and watching the transition of power. “I cried for 30 minutes after the ceremony because that’s how much we were holding it together for eight years without really being able to show it all,” she shared.
Michelle Obama’s decision follows her absence from former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week, where other former presidents and first ladies gathered. Barack Obama attended the service, along with George W. Bush and Laura Bush, among others.
George W. Bush’s office confirmed that he and Laura Bush plan to attend Trump’s inauguration, maintaining their tradition of participating in such ceremonies.
Michelle Obama’s absence this year underscores a notable departure from her previous role in upholding inaugural traditions, leaving many to speculate about the reasoning behind her decision
