The reported reason behind Michelle Obama’s absence at Donald Trump’s inauguration has been revealed.
On Monday (January 20), Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, making history as the first person since Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms as President of the United States.
The newly-elected leader’s inauguration at the Capitol Rotunda was attended by a high-profile guest list including former presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.
As former first ladies Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush accompanied their spouses, viewers couldn’t help but notice that Obama, who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017, was alone.
“I feel bad for Barack Obama! Homeboy is alone,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter) while another chimed in: “Unexpectedly felt a bit sad for Barack Obama watching him walk in alone today without Michelle. She should be there.”
A third user questioned: “Been seeing Obama attending events alone these past few months. Why is Michelle Obama not attending events with Barack?”
The mystery surrounding Michelle’s decision not to attend Trump’s second inauguration has led to various theories.
Earlier this month, she also skipped former president Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, reportedly due to a “scheduling conflict.” It was later revealed she was vacationing in Hawaii at the time.
A source close to the former first lady told PEOPLE magazine that her decision not to attend Trump’s ceremony was more personal than logistical.
“There’s no overstating her feelings about [Trump]. She’s not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake,” they claimed. “Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition.”
The insider stated that the two-time leader’s history of attacking the Obama family and making cruel comments about people of color has also contributed to her opinion of him.
Back in 2023, the 61-year-old reflected on attending Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 on The Light Podcast, saying: “[T]here was no diversity, there was no color on that stage,” cited by NBC News.
“There was no reflection of the broader sense of America. Many people took pictures of me, and they’re like, you weren’t in a good mood. No, I was not,” she added.
Michelle’s absence drew criticism from some conservative circles. Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary voiced his disapproval on Fox News, saying: “This tradition has gone on for over 100 years… You have to respect it. I don’t like what she’s doing here. I’m against it. I think it’s wrong.”
Meanwhile, others pointed out the irony of Trump supporters criticizing the law graduate’s decision, given the president’s own actions in 2021.
After losing to Joe Biden, Trump became the first outgoing president since Andrew Johnson in 1869 to skip his successor’s inauguration. Melania Trump also chose not to attend.
