former first lady michelle obama She will skip President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next week, reportedly to avoid hiding her disdain for the incoming president, according to new reports.
A source close to the former first lady told People: "Her feelings for Trump are not exaggerated at all. She's not someone who puts on a happy face and pretends for the sake of decorum." "Michelle didn't do anything because that was expected, or protocol, or tradition."
"As first lady, she served eight years in the public eye and did everything she could for the public," the source said of Obama's duties at Trump's 2017 inauguration. . "You'll see her when she has a project or cause to promote, but she no longer feels the need to be a public figure," they continued.
Longtime allies of Michelle Obama also told The Hill they viewed her decision to skip the inauguration as an act of resistance.
Michelle Obama will skip Trump's inauguration 11 days after skipping Carter's funeral
A source told People of the former first lady's absence from Trump's inauguration, "Her feelings for Trump cannot be overstated. She's not the type to put on a show for the sake of decorum." A person with a happy expression.” (Getty Images)
"She means every word she says on the campaign trail," one ally said in the report. "And she's not a hypocrite."
Another longtime aide speculated that Obama was avoiding Trump to "save some credibility."
The former first lady repeatedly attacked Trump during Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign and in a speech at the Democratic National Convention in August. In a speech at the Democratic National Committee, she accused Trump of spreading "racist lies" and opposing her husband's political career because of his race.
While she won't be attending, her husband, former President Barack Obama, plans to attend along with former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and their spouses 1 Inauguration ceremony on September 20th.
Trump and Obama chatted and laughed at Carter's funeral, lighting up social media
Former President Barack Obama (second from right) and then-President Donald Trump at the Western Front after Trump's inauguration as the 45th President of the United States, former First Lady Michelle Obama (right) Watch and laugh with Melania Trump. January 20, 2017, U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, USA. Reuters/Mike Segar (Reuters)
In 2021, Trump broke tradition and did not attend President Biden's inauguration, becoming one of the few presidents in U.S. history who failed to attend the inauguration of his successor.
This will be the second time in two weeks that Michelle Obama has skipped a gathering of the former president and his spouse. Obama did not attend former President Jimmy Carter's funeral last week with her husband, who sat next to Trump.
Her adviser told CNN's Jeff Zeleny that she did not attend the funeral due to scheduling conflicts and instead took an extended vacation in Hawaii.
The Obama Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Former President Obama chuckled as he spoke with President-elect Donald Trump at former President Jimmy Carter's funeral on Thursday. (Getty Images)
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News of Michelle Obama's absence from Trump's inauguration comes after former first lady Melania Trump revealed she and her husband didn't get enough from the Obama administration regarding the January 2017 inauguration Information from the White House.
"The difference is, I know where I'm going. I know the room we're going to live in. I know the process," the former first lady told "Fox & Friends" co-host Ainsley Earhart on Monday.
"The first time was challenging. We didn't have a lot of information, which the previous administration took from us. But this time I have everything. I have a plan. I can move in. I've got it packed. I The furniture that needs to go in has been chosen, so it’s a very different transition this time around.”
Fox News' Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.