Michelle Obama will skip Donald Trump’s inauguration (Image: Getty)
Former first lady Michelle Obama will skip the inauguration of President-elect .
It’s 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, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will be there.
Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join their husbands for the January 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 was given for why Michelle Obama was skipping Trump’s inauguration. She also did not attend in Washington for former President Jimmy Carter. Former presidents Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton and their spouses attended — except for her.
Bill Clinton will attend the 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 attending.
Michelle Obama was the only spouse absent from the service last week 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.
All three former presidents and their wives attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, including Hillary Clinton, after she to Trump. Carter also attended.
A long list of world leaders and famous names have been invited to attend next week’s historic swearing-in ceremony.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Argentinian President Javier Milei, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele and Hungarian President Viktor Orban have all been invited to the showpiece event on January 20.
Reform UK leader , as well as former President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, were also invited.
, however, was on the , alongside , Kim Jong Un and EU President Ursula von der Leyen.