It’s a “no” for Michelle Obama. The former first lady won’t attend Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, according to the Associated Press. Former President Barack Obama, however, is confirmed to attend the ceremony alongside former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
Former first lady Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are also confirmed to attend the inauguration ceremony alongside their husbands, making Michelle the lone hold out among the former presidents’ spouses.
The Obamas revealed their respective RSVPs via their joint Office on January 14: “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” reads a statement shared with the AP.
There was no explanation for Michelle’s absence, though some have speculated that it might be personal. In her 2018 memoir, Becoming, Michelle denounced Trump’s “birther” conspiracy about her husband, writing that she’ll “never forgive him” for his remarks. She also campaigned for Trump’s opponents in both 2020 and 2024. And though she did attend Trump’s inauguration in 2017, many onlookers noted that…she didn’t look happy about it.
Of course, there could be another reason for her absence that we’ll learn of at a later date.
Michelle was also noticeably missing from President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, held last week at the Capitol, making this the second time in the last month that she will have missed a major political event.
Though Michelle Obama won’t attend Donald Trump’s inauguration, another beloved American will: Carrie Underwood. On January 13 it was revealed that the former American Idol winner will perform “America the Beautiful” at the ceremony.
Following backlash to the announcement, the singer told People, “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
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