Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, her office confirmed Tuesday, without offering an explanation for the decision.
“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” read a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama.
The absence marks a departure from the tradition of former presidents and their spouses participating in inaugural ceremonies. Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush will be in attendance, as will former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, sources told CNN.
Michelle Obama’s decision comes shortly after she skipped the memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter last week, choosing instead to remain in Hawaii. Barack Obama attended the service at the National Cathedral in Washington, where he sat alongside Donald Trump and engaged in brief conversation with the former president as the event began.
Other former first ladies, including Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, were present at the Carter memorial.
Michelle Obama has been outspoken about her disdain for Trump, accusing him of endangering her family with his rhetoric. Despite these tensions, in 2017, she welcomed Trump and Melania Trump to the White House for tea ahead of his first inauguration, setting aside personal feelings for the sake of tradition.
* CNN contributed to this article.
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