- Michelle Obama isn’t bothered about traditions for President Donald Trump
- She isn’t going to his inauguration on 20 January
- All other Presidents and First Ladies will be in attendance
Presidential inauguration traditions are not a good enough reason for Michelle Obama to turn up for President Donald Trump on Monday, according to reports,
The former First Lady is unmoved by the thought of doing what is expected of her, a source close to her is saying.
“There’s no overstating her feelings about [Trump]. She’s not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake,” someone close to her told PEOPLE magazine.
They continued,”Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition.”
Trump has a long history of attacking her husband, President Barack Obama. In 2011, he began the birtherism movement. This involved demanding to see his birth certificate and denying he was born in the US.
They added, “She served in the public eye and did all the public good that she could for eight years as first lady. You’ll see her when she has a project or cause to promote but she doesn’t feel the need to be a public figure anymore.”
Read more: Everything we know about Trump’s inauguration
When did Michelle Obama confirm she wasn’t attending Trump’s presidential inauguration?
The news of her planned absence from the swearing-in ceremony on Capital Hill was confirmed on 14 January.
A rep for the couple said, “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
Barack will be joined by all the living past presidents, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush. Their respective wives, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, also plan on attending.
What has she said about Trump’s political success in the past?
In 2023, Michelle opened up about how Trump’s first presidential inauguration prompted “uncontrollable sobbing” on The Light Podcast.
She also announced that she could “never forgive” Trump’s words, which she argues puts her family in danger.
Trump’s return to the White House comes after trouncing Democratic nominee Kamala Harris at polls in November. He won both the popular vote and the Electoral College with his right-wing, populist plans to crack down on immigration, education and healthcare.
Michelle threw her weight behind campaigning for the outgoing Vice-President, who replaced Joe Biden. She joined celebrities like Taylor Swift, Eva Longoria, and Jane Fonda in championing Harris.
Has Michelle Obama skipped any other major events recently?
Michelle did not accompany her husband to the funeral of President Jimmy Carter earlier this month. This might have been due to the seating arrangement, as Barack was sitting next to Trump and was seen chatting cordially.
Will any big celeb names be at Trump’s presidential inauguration?
American Idol winner Carrie Underwood set shockwaves among liberal Hollywood circles when she was confirmed as a performer. The country star will sing America, The Beautiful before Trump is made the 47th President.
The Village People are also expected to take part. They have been enlisted to do one of Trump’s favourite songs, The YMCA at one of the many balls thrown in his honour in Washington DC.
