Michelle Obama’s decision to snub Donald Trump’s inauguration is “deliberate” as she refuses to be a “phony” and unify around the incoming president, it is claimed.
Despite former president Barack Obama and Donald Trump sharing jokes at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week, the former First Lady was on an “extended holiday vacation” in Hawaii. Former Presidents Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton and their spouses attended — except for Michelle.
The 60-year-old has been an outspoken critic of Trump over the last eight years and there wasn’t a reason given explaining her absence – until now. According to a source, Michelle’s decision not to attend is “deliberate” and she has no plans to cosy up to Trump, despite her husband trying to be a unifier.
“She’s never been fake and she’s never been phony,” they told Page Six. “She’s always been very deliberate about where and how she shows up,” the source said “She showed up reluctantly for the election. They were united, but she doesn’t have to unify around [Trump]. She doesn’t have to say anything. Her absence speaks volumes.”
The office of Barack and Michelle Obama confirmed in a statement the former First Lady won’t be in attendance at the inauguration. “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” it said.
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It comes after 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.
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.
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