PoliticsMichelle Obama Criticized for Skipping Donald Trump's Inauguration After Missing Jimmy Carter's Funeral: 'An Act of Disrespect'
A spokesperson for the Obamas revealed the news on Tuesday, January 14.
Jan. 14 2025, Published 11:41 a.m. ET
There's no need to save a seat for Michelle Obama at Donald Trump's inauguration, as a spokesperson for the former first lady confirmed she will not be present when the Republican is sworn into office for the second time on Monday, January 20.
However, it was noted husband Barack Obama will attend the Washington, D.C., ceremony.
Barack Obama will be attending Donald Trump's inauguration without wife Michelle.
It's not clear why she'll be skipping Inauguration Day, though Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton will be there with their respective husbands.
This will be the second major event the mom-of-two, 60, skipped, as she also didn't attend Jimmy Carter's funeral on Thursday, January 9, despite Barack, 63, going — just like every other living president and their wives. At the time, it was said her absence was due to a scheduling conflict, so she remained home in Hawaii.
Donald Trump and Michelle Obama haven't had the nicest words to say about each other over the years.
Social media was divided over her decision, with some defending her choice given all of the drama that's ensued with Michelle and Donald, 78.
"WAY TO GO @MichelleObama we stand with you!!!!" one supporter tweeted, while another wrote, "Good for her. Protect her peace away from the s--- storm."
Others shamed the mother-of-two, with one person calling her decision an "act of disrespect."
"Funny how violation of protocols are all the rage among Democrats," another person said. "Can we stop pretending Trump is the only one?"
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Michelle Obama also skipped Jimmy Carter's funeral on January 9.
Michelle and Donald's strife isn't a secret, as the Becoming author called out his "gross incompetence," "erratic behavior" and "obvious mental decline" while campaigning for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
At one of the businessman's own rallies, he responded by claiming of Michelle, "I always tried to be so nice and respectful. She opened up a little bit of a box."
"She was nasty. That was a big mistake that she made," the dad-of-five added.
The reason behind Michelle's upcoming absence at the inauguration wasn't revealed.
Despite the turmoil, the Obamas encouraged people to peacefully accept the results of the 2024 election when Donald won.
"This is obviously not the outcome we had hopes for, given our profound disagreements with the Republican ticket on a whole host of issues," their statement read. "But living in a democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won’t always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power."
"Progress requires us to extend good faith and grace — even to people with whom we deeply disagree," they continued. "That’s how we’ve come this far, and it’s how we’ll keep building a country that is more fair and more just, more equal and more free."
The Associated Press reported on Michelle not attending the inauguration.
