Michelle Obama will not be attending Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, her office confirmed on Tuesday, without providing a specific reason.
Sources close to the Obamas told PageSix that Michelle’s decision was a deliberate one. “She’s never been fake or phoney. She’s always been very intentional about where and how she shows up,” a source explained.
Michelle reportedly feels no obligation to show support for Trump or to participate in unifying efforts. “She showed up reluctantly for the election. They were united, but she doesn’t have to unify around Trump. Her absence speaks volumes,” they added.
After also missing former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, a statement from the office of Barack and Michelle Obama shared with The Associated Press confirmed that Michelle would skip Trump’s inauguration on January 20, when he will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. The statement did not provide further details.
While former President Barack Obama is expected to attend, Michelle’s absence follows her past public criticism of Trump.
At the 2020 Democratic National Convention, she remarked, “For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us. His narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly successful people who happen to be black.”
Trump had long promoted the “birther movement,” questioning Barack Obama’s citizenship, and although he later acknowledged Obama was born in the U.S., he never offered an apology.
Other notable figures, including George W. Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Joe and Jill Biden, are expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.
