Michelle Obama will not attend Donald Trump’s inauguration

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Former first lady Michelle Obama will jump the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, the second time in two weeks that she has not attended a gathering of former U.S. leaders and their spouses, but former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will be there.

Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join their husbands for the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, officials said.

“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th inaugural ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” said a statement from Barack and Michelle Obama’s office shared with The Associated Press.

No explanation has been given as to why Michelle Obama did not attend Trump’s inauguration. She also did not attend last week’s state funeral in Washington for former President Jimmy Carter. Former Presidents Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton and their spouses were in attendance – except for her.

Bill Clinton will attend the swearing-in ceremony, a person familiar with the former president’s schedule confirmed to the AP. Hillary Clinton will also be present, a spokesperson said.

George W. Bush’s office said he and former first lady Laura Bush attended.

Michelle Obama was the only wife absent from the service last week at the Washington National Cathedral, where her husband and Trump sat next to each other and chatted and laughed like old friends despite the history of animosity politics between the former Democratic president and the returning Republican. .

All three former presidents and their wives attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, including Hillary Clinton, after she lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump. Carter was also present.