Obama, Clinton & Bush to Attend Trump Inauguration, Michelle Obama to Skip/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, though her husband, Barack Obama, will be present alongside former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush will also attend, marking the second high-profile event Michelle Obama has missed in two weeks.
Trump Inauguration Attendance: Quick Looks
- Michelle Obama Absent: No explanation provided for her absence at the Capitol ceremony.
- Former Presidents Present: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush will attend.
- First Ladies Attending: Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush to join their husbands.
- Historical Context: All three ex-presidents and their spouses attended Trump’s 2017 inauguration.
- Recent Pattern: Michelle Obama also missed Jimmy Carter’s state funeral last week.
Obama, Clinton & Bush to Attend Trump Inauguration, Michelle Obama to Skip
Deep Look:
Michelle Obama’s Absence
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not join her husband, Barack Obama, at President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration. While no official reason was given for her absence, it marks the second significant political event she has skipped recently. Michelle Obama was notably absent from former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington, which other former presidents and their spouses attended.
Former Presidents and First Ladies in Attendance
- Barack Obama: The 44th president confirmed his attendance through a statement released by his office.
- Bill and Hillary Clinton: Both the former president and his wife, Hillary Clinton, will be present. Hillary’s attendance highlights her continued involvement in major political events despite her loss to Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
- George W. and Laura Bush: The former Republican president and first lady will also attend.
This collective attendance underscores the tradition of former presidents and their spouses uniting for the peaceful transfer of power.
Historical Precedent
All three former presidents—Obama, Clinton, and Bush—and their spouses attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away recently, also attended.
Recent Interactions
At Carter’s funeral, Barack Obama and Donald Trump were seen seated next to each other, sharing laughs and appearing cordial despite their well-documented political differences. Michelle Obama’s absence from that event raised questions, though no explanation was provided.
Significance of the Event
The Jan. 20 inauguration represents Trump’s return to the presidency, a historic moment following his 2020 loss. The attendance of former presidents highlights their commitment to upholding the tradition of bipartisan support for the peaceful transition of power, regardless of personal or political differences.
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