Last week, Michelle Obama skipped Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington. All of the other former presidents and first ladies attended, but not MO. Because the seating arrangements at these state events have a million layers of protocol, it’s likely that if Michelle attended, she would have been seated next to Donald Trump. Which is reason enough to skip. Reportedly, she cited a “scheduling conflict” but people said that she was still on vacation in Hawaii. Well, I think MO decided to extend her holiday, because her office confirmed that she will not attend the inauguration next week.
Former first lady Michelle Obama will skip the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, 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, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will be there.
Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join their husbands for the Jan. 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 former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington last week. Former Presidents Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton and their spouses attended — except for her.
Bill Clinton will attend Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, a person familiar with the former president’s schedule confirmed for the AP. Hillary Clinton will also attend, a spokesperson said.
Michelle is either in her IDGAF Era or something else is going on. Or both? I think it’s quite likely that Michelle feels the same way as many Black American women feel after the election: y’all have fun, but I’m not engaging with this nonsense anymore. These ladies are protecting their peace and they’re not going to show up in any way for this fascist lunatic. I feel similarly – I’m going to give all of this as little energy as possible. I’m actually a little bit surprised that Hillary hasn’t found some way to excuse herself too. It’s also a tad funny to think about how much the Bushes hate Trump as well – the Clintons and Bushes probably made a “if you show up, I’ll show up” pact.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Avalon Red.
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- Former U.S. President Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama arrive before the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool | usage worldwide,Image: 584903841, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: usage worldwide, Model Release: no, Credit line: JONATHAN ERNST / DPA Picture Alliance / Avalon
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- Former US President Barack Obama (L) and Michelle Obama arrive in the Crypt of the US Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony to be the 46th President of the United States in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2021. | usage worldwide,Image: 584905145, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: usage worldwide, Model Release: no, Credit line: JIM LO SCALZO / DPA Picture Alliance / Avalon
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- Former First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, USA, at the United Center Featuring: Former First Lady Michelle Obama Where: Chicago, Illinois, United States When: 20 Aug 2024 Credit: CNP/INSTARimages
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- Former First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, USA, at the United Center Featuring: Former First Lady Michelle Obama Where: Chicago, Illinois, United States When: 20 Aug 2024 Credit: CNP/INSTARimages
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- Get out and Vote Rally at Norristown Highschool Featuring: Michelle Obama Where: Norristown, pennsylvania, United States When: 02 Nov 2024 Credit: William Wade/INSTARimages
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- Get out and Vote Rally at Norristown Highschool Featuring: Michelle Obama Where: Norristown, pennsylvania, United States When: 02 Nov 2024 Credit: William Wade/INSTARimages
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- Former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush, former President Barack Obama, President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump attend state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C Featuring: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Barack Obama, Donald J Trump Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States When: 09 Jan 2025 Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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- Former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump speak ahead of the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C Featuring: Barack Obama, Donald J Trump, Melania Trump Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States When: 09 Jan 2025 Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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- President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff attend state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C Featuring: Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, George W. Bush, Laura Bush Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States When: 09 Jan 2025 Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
*insert Lucille Bluth’s Good For Her gif here* I wouldn’t go near it either.
Same.
Michelle Obama has been very clear that politics is not something she was ever interested in, and the resentment she had for the strain her husband’s career put on them as well as their families safety. I think she’s just over it. She clearly was over it in 2020, but I think for Kamala she pushed down her feelings and her grief over her mother to support and this clown is what she got in return. I wouldn’t go to events to sit next to him and watch him being sworn in to a job she knows he won’t take seriously, and has first-hand experience at how serious it is. I think the days of seeing Michelle Obama on the campaign trail for anyone, and at the DNC are over.
I think a large part of why she’s over it is Trump specifically. I think she’d come if this were some other Republican.
One of the many reasons I have nothing but respect for her. In a way she’s too good for it all.
Good for her! She does not owe anyone anything!
Either she’s resting like the rest of the 92% or she and Barack are over.
Ok, so I’m not the one saying it first. My first thought about her skipping the funeral while vacationing in Hawaii was separation. I just felt that she is not the kind of person who would not pay her respects to a Nobel laureate, just because Trump is there.
I thought the same. She’s a grown ass woman and can sit next to someone she dislikes for an hour. W is going to be so upset if Michelle leaves the club.
There has been zero indication that she is done being married. There’s all kinds of indications that Black women are completely over this national foolishness and rush to normalize Trump and his bullshit. Yet again.
All the folks blathering about how she can “go for an hour” must not have any Black women friends and missed the memo – we’re not normalizing or making nice with racist rapist nazis in 2025. Y’all can do it if you want to (and you will. Clearly).
Did you think we were playing?
Michelle said Trump is trash and a very real danger to all the women of the nation. He threatened her. Y’all SERIOUSLY think she should go make nice for an hour so the nation can feel good and pretend like psycho fuckshit isn’t going on?
FuuuuuuuuuuuuuuCK that.
Well said and nothing to add.
@yup,me THANK YOU!!
Thank you! I wish my fellow white women would start showing the same backbone and guts. So pissed at Hillary and all the other dems that are going to show up and act like this is normal. Seriously F*ck that.
🎯
100%
👏🏽
I won’t be attending that shitshow either. I love that FLOTUS O won’t be going and that she’s chosen to take care of herself over propping an egomaniac with the brain the size of a pea.
Staying home, protecting and well moisturized is top tier self care.
I’m thinking there are some problems between Barack and Michelle
Agree with @Margaret.
Yes, I agree, too.
I don’t see it. Married couples don’t have to be tied at the hip and this sounds like Harry & Meghan divorce speculation.
Sadly, I agree. I wonder if it means that the situation is not amicable. If they don’t want to announce it, then it’s not good optics to skip two historic events in a row and make it look like they can’t spend a few hours in each other’s company for appearance’s sake.
I’m a bit surprised that people would think her problem is with her husband rather than Trump. 🤔
@BrassyRebel – Probably for the reason that as adults, in day to day life, we have to be around someone we cannot stand, and we grit our teeth and do it. MO is an adult and she can spend 1 hour around the orange clown and go home and shower and disinfect herself.
I think the fact that she is missing 2 things in a row = something bigger, not just her dislike of the orange clown.
She could but why should she? Seriously. Funerals are for the living not the dead, so I doubt Jimmy Carter would be offended by her not attending if he knew how she felt about him. His family didn’t seem put out by it either. And there’s no reason to force people into situations where their attendance is not needed for any actual reason for optics. She doesn’t have to help Trump give the oath of office, she doesn’t have to sign any paperwork, she doesn’t have to participate at all other than to sit there and be there because that’s what past wives have always done. I don’t know the mechanics of their marriage but this idea that it’s clearly marriage problems because she could suck it up is weird. Occam’s razor and all that.
I don’t know anything about the state of the Obama marriage. But even if it was on the rocks, it seems to me she would prefer her husband to that human garbage can. It’s not as if she hasn’t stated her extreme distaste for Felon 47 many times.
If you work with someone you don’t like, then yes, you may be obligated to spend time with someone you don’t like. But this isn’t her job. It hasn’t been her job for 8 years now. She has zero obligation to make nice with a man who vilely insulted her and her family for years. If she went, it would be a choice, and quite frankly, I made a choice years ago to not expend energy on people who don’t add to my quality of life, and my life and mental health are better for it. Maybe she’s made the same choice. We should normalize that instead of saying people should suck it up to make other people feel more comfortable. And it’s always the victim being told to suck it up and make nice with their bully, to be the bigger person. F*** that.
This is why so many Black women side eye white people and keep our backs to the wall. This grit your teeth and bare it attitude expected is what upholds white supremacy and the patriarchy. Black women have been doing this for too long and we are not having it anymore. If you want to do that go ahead and enjoy that ulcer.
That scumbag maligned her family for over a decade and led an insurrection and you’re here takin bout she’s an adult. Girl, get yourself together.
Thank You @ThatGirlThere. Historically, white women get protected— while Black women are told that we haven’t done enough or suffered enough yet. I’m glad for Michelle Obama — and for all of the girls and women watching this play out — showing the strength and the self-respect to prioritize her own well-being.
Good for her. Trump is not a normal leader; he won because of decades of gerrymandering and voter suppression, and is just a tiny mustache away from being a nazi.
No complaints from me. Michelle served us well as a first lady. She doesn’t owe us anything, let alone having to watch that idiot being sworn in.
Besides, who is going to watch that mess?
Not me!
Agree 100%. Good for her.
I thought their kids lived in LA? It’s possible she’s with them while everything is going on with the fires.
Will not be watching!!! It’s her right ( while we still have some) to not attend something that she doesn’t want to wrap her head around.
Exactly. She doesn’t need to put herself through that, and neither do we.
#TeamMO!!!!! I’ll have my TV on, but on a different channel.
None of them should be going. I’m seriously disappointed that they’re aiding in the normalization of a treasonous fascist and the criminal gang of racists and misogynists he’s bringing with him.
My thoughts exactly. None of them should be going, except maybe W, cause what’s one more war pig in the mix right? But the Clintons and Obama should not indulge any of this. They are giving legitimacy to a man they know is Hitler 2.0, all for what, tradition? F that. F trump. F this whole miserable situation.
Amen!
There has been significant chatter online that she is in treatment for an illness in Hawaii. The Trump related items aren’t the only ones that have been canceled or postponed off her calendar.
Daphne would you mind sharing where? Reddit subgroup? 🙂
Oh no, that was my other fear, besides separation.
I have no idea what anyone is talking about. All I know on January 20th in the US. It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Nothing else, is going on. NOTHING!!! /s
I will spend the day reflecting and celebrating the life of MLK. I can imagine Michelle doing the same.
Honestly, I wish they all could skip it. That would be a hell of a statement in itself. But Joe is going so Kamala has to go in support and the rest don’t want to desert them in their hour of need. The good news is that MVP has not invited that pig JD Vance to a tour of the vp’s residence. Unfortunately, our garbage media is acting like this is some offense on her part, choosing to forget that the night before election day, he called her “trash”. Not to mention, Vance was the knowing source of the lie that Black migrants were eating pets in his home state. Then he doubled down and wouldn’t retract it even when their lives were endangered by bomb threats. MVP has boundaries and nothing in the constitution requires her to be hospitable to an evil d*ck.
deuxmoi is saying that she received intel that michelle and barack are over in her stories yesterday,
Don’t they say the same thing about Harry and Meghan?
I don’t know why and I hope I am wrong, but this screams either “health issue” or “separation” to me. BO seemed different at the funeral, a little tense, yes he was laughing and speaking with the orange clown but still….something seemed off in his demeanor, he was not his usual BO charismatic light natured self, he appeared a little guarded, a little pre occupied.
I will be spending part of Monday calling the offices of as many congressional members as I can to complain of Speaker Johnson’s flagrant violation of 4 USC 7 m, a federal statute he and they are sworn to uphold, his disrespect for the Constitution and President Carter, and demand his removal from the position of Speaker.
If Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon can take the oath of office with flags lowered, so can the Orange Traitor
I hope Michelle enjoys her vacation
Good for her. I dont blame her for not wanting to be anywhere near that man.
She might be still grieving her mother.
Whatever her reasons for skipping that farce, it’s her choice and I respect it. Why should she go and pretend anything to normalize the rise of a dictator? She’s minding her own business and these degenerates still call her a man.
I doubt separation. If so, they would likely do a last hurrah event and be at the inauguration and the Carter funeral. Hawaii seems like an odd place for treatment for a medical condition. I hope she is just protecting her serenity.
I agreed with you and thought to myself maybe she is flying specialists in (if she is ill) or something. But apparently Hawaii consistently is ranked as one of the top states for healthcare. US News and World Report has it ranked #1 of all 50 states.
I think she can’t be bothered because it’s Trump, she and Barry may be going through a rough spot, she may have something going on with her health or someone else she cares about, etc. I don’t think it’s a “she can’t stomach watching it” alone. That makes her sound more dramatic than she is. I have no doubt she doesn’t want to go, but I do doubt that is the sole reason until a statement is made saying as much. She doesn’t seem like one to not do first wife duties solely for utter hatred and disdain for Trump. If Hilary Clinton of all people can tolerate it, so can Michelle, in my opinion. That is why I think it is more.
Michelle can’t stomach politics. I get it, it’s a nasty filthy business. But out of all the presidents she should have attended Carters funeral.
I fully support her not attending any Trump shit show.
Trump didn’t show up for Biden’s inauguration and he was the outgoing president. Nothing came of it. We all moved on. Good for Michelle.
While campaigning for Kamala she said in an interview that this would be her last public appearance. Guess she meant it.
Her bday is coming up in a couple of days… I’m sure PBO will post (if everything OK with them…I hope it is!)
Some of the comments on this post are maddening. Some of you get so triggered when a BW decides it’s better to protect their peace than put on appearances. 🍊skipped Bidens inauguration so where was the heat for that? It could be as simple as not wanting to normalize this farce. That man has done nothing but be openly disrespectful to her and other BW. BP have to deal with this BS on a daily basis, forced to sit and smile while dealing with racism and problematic people. And for the last time, BW are not your mules so stop asking us to constantly perform for the sake of appearances and so you will be comfortable. And for the person who thinks they can dictate to a grown a$$ woman what she SHOULD do have several seats.
Thank you! People are severely underestimating how done the 92% are. This isn’t just about backing off from politics and marches. We entering a season of “NO” to everything that doesn’t serve or deserve us. Our sucking it up and staying strong era is over.
What people need to understand is the step and fetch days are over. I have seen alot of BW saying they are not going to that women’s March this weekend and how so many women are upset by this.
What is this “92%” number people keep repeating here?
Fancy Pants, 92% of Black women voted for Harris, and as a group we feel betrayed by the rest of our party who didn’t want to vote for a Black and Indian woman so stayed home and let Trump win.
This. A billion times this. Black women have saved this country for centuries without a thank you or a show of respect. We are done. I am tired as are the 92 percent. Michelle Obama has been of service to this country when her husband was a senator and then for 8 years as FLOTUS. She has done her service and I am forever grateful to her for it. I am also grateful to see her draw a line in the sand and tap out.
No, I don’t think it’s because the Obamas are separated. They’re not passive aggressive drama queens who would signal that they are separated in a manner like this.
Donald Trump, as Michelle has said, tried for years to make people afraid of her family because they are successful, accomplished people who happen to be Black, F–k him. She’s refusing to normalize a fascist dictator r*pist.
She said that he put her family in danger by repeating that birther lie and she would never forgive him. So this is what that looks like, deal with it.
For Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, attending the inauguration is mandatory, as they each spent eight years of their lives in service to the US. I’m sure they will be there to respect the office of the President. Their spouses, however, should be given a total pass on it. If they want to go, have at it. If not, it shouldn’t matter.
How is it “mandatory” for Clinton, Bush and Obama but Trump had no issues not attending Biden’s? What would happen if they didn’t show up? I’m so sick of the Democrats always “doing the right thing”. That time is over. We are past that. None of them should attend to make it clear to this country and the world how serious this is and how dangerous Trump and his oligarchs are.
Louisa – I agree. Who is it that Democrats think they are setting a good example for? Trump isn’t going to change for the better. Republicans are not going to change for the better.
Just my opinion, here, Louisa — Michelle Obama herself said “when they go low, we go higher.” To me, it’s mandatory because they are classy men, where Trump is anything but.
Good for her.
Normalizing Trump in any way is a mistake, akin to appeasement.
Whatever her reason is, she deserves to prioritize that before anything involved with that racist felon.
As an outsider looking in on what’s happening in the US, I’m shocked any former presidents are attending following Jack Smith’s report. It’s an obvious farce and it’s unsettling that everyone is playing along.
Also, Michelle Obama owes nobody anything. Donald Trump’s political career began with his racist birther conspiracy about her husband.
Absolutely don’t blame Michelle Obama from not attending. No reason she should go after the way the orange one has treated her and her family. I only wish Barrack had also declined to go.
I assumed she declined because she can =) Loving it!!
I read some of the comments and, of course, hope that’s not the case. I hope they had a big fight about it and things will be tense for a while. My husband and I have this fight every couple of years when his racist extended family are visiting in our area. We live in near the beach & Disneyland so our house is a logical place to stay – except I’m not dead yet. They can stay here over my dead body.
They’re wealthy and God made hotels.
She’s correct. I’m shocked her decline would even be questioned.
Melania probably doesn’t even want to be there. Why would Michelle?
A lot of y’all have no idea how angry black women are right now. They are the base of the Democratic party despite what the podbros think and say. They have showed up and done the work for YEARS and got slapped in the face repeatedly by both their own party and by America.
They are DONE and I mean DONE! No protests, no marches, no money. Nothing. Go find someone else to help you.
Michelle Obama owes this country nothing and speculation over her health and/or state of her marriage is just so disgusting and disrespectful but not surprising.
Shame on you.
I don’t blame her one bit. She’s not an elected official. And Trump is a treasonous joke who shouldn’t even be allowed in the White House as a visitor. Just because half the country can’t understand this, doesn’t mean everyone has to go along. And I’m sure Michelle Obama has the full support of HER husband in this.
I don’t know about y’all…but as a Black Woman…what we feel about Trump et al…goes WAY BEYOND dislike & disrespect…it’s about…pure…unadulterated…soul 💀 rage…🤬
And grief…😪💔…
I don’t understand why everyone else is going. They said all these terrible things about Trump during the election campaign. Do they no longer believe those things? What is the upside to attending?
This the energy I’ve been on since Nov. 6th. I have marched. Protested. Donated. Pounded the pavement. Knocked on doors. Registered voters. Robocalled. Written letters after letters. Lobbied. Showed up on Capitol Hill. I’ve done these things for 32 years. My first campaign was in 1992, bill Clinton at 6 years old. My momma had me out there and I’ve had my kids out there with me. I. Am. Done.
They can have my vote because I don’t believe in abstaining. Nothing else.
Black women said we were done. With our whole chests. We meant it.