Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Michelle Obama Will Skip Trump Inauguration, but Ex-Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush Will Be There
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 months ago on
January 14, 2025

Former first lady Michelle Obama opts out of Trump's inauguration, while other ex-presidents and spouses attend. (AP File)

Share

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former first lady Michelle Obama will skip the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, the second time in two weeks that she is not attending a gathering of former U.S. leaders and their spouses, but former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton 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, representatives 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 the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama that was shared with The Associated Press.

No Explanation Given for Michelle Obama’s Absence

No explanation was given for why Michelle Obama was skipping Trump’s inauguration. She also did not attend former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington last week. Former Presidents Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton and their spouses attended — except for her.

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

The Office of George W. Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush are also attending.

Michelle Obama’s History with Trump

Michelle Obama was the only spouse absent at last week’s funeral service at Washington National Cathedral, where her husband and Trump were seated next to each other and chatted and laughed like old friends despite the history of political animosity between the Democratic former president and the returning Republican.

The former first lady campaigned against Trump during his 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns. In her 2018 memoir, she described her shock upon learning that Trump would succeed her husband, and she denounced Trump’s “birther” campaign, which questioned Barack Obama’s citizenship.

Michelle Obama campaigned last fall for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, delivering an emotional speech in Michigan in which she challenged men to vote for the vice president and argued that women’s lives would be at risk if Trump returned to the White House.

Previous Inauguration Attendance

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 also attended.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man, a Repeat DUI Offender, Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Teen’s Death

DON'T MISS

Jewish Student Who Took on Harvard in Court Ends Lawsuit

DON'T MISS

Oakhurst Man Charged for Fresno Stalking, Child Exploitation

DON'T MISS

Trump Announces $14.5 Billion Etihad Commitment With Boeing, GE

DON'T MISS

Denver Air Traffic Briefly Lost Communications on Monday, FAA Says

DON'T MISS

Fresno Shut Out Of $200M for Downtown Projects by State Budget

DON'T MISS

Feds Charge Two Men in Email Scam Pulled on Fresno County

DON'T MISS

Fresno Officials Urge Parole Board to Deny Release of Convicted ‘Tower Rapist’

DON'T MISS

Clovis Mayor’s Breakfast Hot Topics: Elections, Measure C, ‘Way of Life’

DON'T MISS

Ben & Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Senate Hearing After Protesting War in Gaza

UP NEXT

Jewish Student Who Took on Harvard in Court Ends Lawsuit

UP NEXT

Oakhurst Man Charged for Fresno Stalking, Child Exploitation

UP NEXT

Trump Announces $14.5 Billion Etihad Commitment With Boeing, GE

UP NEXT

Denver Air Traffic Briefly Lost Communications on Monday, FAA Says

UP NEXT

Fresno Shut Out Of $200M for Downtown Projects by State Budget

UP NEXT

Feds Charge Two Men in Email Scam Pulled on Fresno County

UP NEXT

Fresno Officials Urge Parole Board to Deny Release of Convicted ‘Tower Rapist’

UP NEXT

Clovis Mayor’s Breakfast Hot Topics: Elections, Measure C, ‘Way of Life’

UP NEXT

Ben & Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Senate Hearing After Protesting War in Gaza

UP NEXT

Trump Navigates Iran Nuclear Talks. Should US Insist on Zero Enrichment?

Trump Announces $14.5 Billion Etihad Commitment With Boeing, GE

9 hours ago

Denver Air Traffic Briefly Lost Communications on Monday, FAA Says

9 hours ago

Fresno Shut Out Of $200M for Downtown Projects by State Budget

9 hours ago

Feds Charge Two Men in Email Scam Pulled on Fresno County

9 hours ago

Fresno Officials Urge Parole Board to Deny Release of Convicted ‘Tower Rapist’

10 hours ago

Clovis Mayor’s Breakfast Hot Topics: Elections, Measure C, ‘Way of Life’

11 hours ago

Ben & Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Senate Hearing After Protesting War in Gaza

11 hours ago

Trump Navigates Iran Nuclear Talks. Should US Insist on Zero Enrichment?

12 hours ago

WNBA Set To Tipoff Season With Teams Looking To Challenge For Title

12 hours ago

CA Gov. Gavin Newsom Tries to Rebrand Himself Ahead of Potential Presidential Run

12 hours ago

Fresno Man, a Repeat DUI Offender, Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Teen’s Death

A Fresno man with a prior DUI conviction was sentenced Thursday to 15 years to life in state prison for causing a 2022 crash that killed a 1...

6 hours ago

6 hours ago

Fresno Man, a Repeat DUI Offender, Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Teen’s Death

People sit on the grass at the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., April 15, 2025. REUTERS/Faith Ninivaggi/File Photo
8 hours ago

Jewish Student Who Took on Harvard in Court Ends Lawsuit

8 hours ago

Oakhurst Man Charged for Fresno Stalking, Child Exploitation

U.S. President Donald Trump meets United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Qasr Al Watan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
9 hours ago

Trump Announces $14.5 Billion Etihad Commitment With Boeing, GE

The air traffic control tower is seen from the Denver International Airport terminal, as a Delta flight sits at the gate, in Denver, Colorado, U.S., May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Megan Varner
9 hours ago

Denver Air Traffic Briefly Lost Communications on Monday, FAA Says

9 hours ago

Fresno Shut Out Of $200M for Downtown Projects by State Budget

9 hours ago

Feds Charge Two Men in Email Scam Pulled on Fresno County

10 hours ago

Fresno Officials Urge Parole Board to Deny Release of Convicted ‘Tower Rapist’

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend