Featured Image Credit: Richard Cartwright/ABC via Getty Images/Fox News
Topics: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Celebrity
Ella Scott
Topics: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Celebrity
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not be in attendance at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, her office has confirmed in a statement.
On Monday (20 January) Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are set to descend on Washington DC to witness the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump.
The 78-year-old is officially set to resume office after defeating Democratic party candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris in the US presidential elections last November.
However, the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama has confirmed that Michelle, 60, will not accompany her husband to the event.
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“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” the statement reads.
The Office has not elaborated further on why the mother-of-two will not be in attendance at the event.
Tyla has reached out to the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama for further comment.
Michelle’s absence comes just days after she was missing from former president Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, a sombre affair which Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton and their subsequent spouses were all in attendance for.
According to a report by CNN, she did not attend the memorial service due to being ‘on an extended holiday vacation’ in Hawaii.
Michelle’s upcoming absence comes after incoming First Lady Melania Trump, 54, appeared to slam the Obamas for allegedly making her transition into the White House difficult one.
In an interview with Fox & Friends, the mother-of-one stated: “The first time was challenging.
“We didn't have much of the information. The information was... upheld for us from the previous administration. But, this time, I have everything!”
Melania has previously discussed the Trump family’s move-in delay, writing about the moment in her self-titled memoir.
"It is customary for the incoming first family to start the moving process when the outgoing first family leaves for the holidays in December,” she stated.
“Sadly, our team did not receive the access we had requested to visit the White House residence in December.”
She continued, claiming she reached out to the Obama team to request a convenient time for a visit and that she ‘did not receive a response for weeks’.
“When we finally received the information, it was filled with errors. This delayed the planning process, and I was only able to begin renovations... once we were already in the White House. Those three weeks would have been crucial for ... starting preparations.”
Elsewhere in the Fox & Friends interview, Melania also revealed where else she will be splitting her time once her husband is sworn in as Joe Biden’s successor.
“I will be in the White House and you know, when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York.
“When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach. But my first priority is, you know, to be a mom, to be a First Lady, to be a wife. And once we are in on Jan. 20, you serve the country.”
A slew of famous faces are set to attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony, with Forbes reporting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg are on the list.
Meanwhile, country music icon Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio and Lee Greenwood have all been booked to perform.
On her call-up, Carrie said: "I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event.
"I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”