The recent decision by former First Lady Michelle Obama to forgo attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration has sparked a wave of criticism, with some labeling her choice as “petty” and “hypocritical.”
This reaction is particularly striking given that Trump himself has a history of skipping significant national and international events, including the inauguration of his successor, President Joe Biden, in 2021.
In 2021, Trump became the first outgoing president in over 150 years to refuse attendance at his successor’s swearing-in ceremony, a cornerstone of American democratic tradition symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power.
His absence was widely criticized as a breach of decorum and an affront to the office’s dignity.
Despite this, Michelle Obama’s decision to skip Trump’s inauguration has been met with accusations of disrupting unity—a sharp contrast to the criticism Trump received for similar actions.
LEST WE FORGET….Events Trump Skipped During His Presidency
White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinners:
- 2017: Trump became the first president in 36 years to skip the WHCA dinner, a tradition dating back to 1921. His absence was seen as an attempt to avoid facing a media corps critical of his administration.
- 2018 and 2019: Trump continued this trend, opting to hold political rallies instead of attending the prestigious dinner, further eroding the relationship between the presidency and the press.
46th G7 Summit (2020): The 46th G7 Summit, originally scheduled for June 10–12, 2020, at Camp David, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Trump’s administration had already indicated that climate change—a key agenda item for past summits—would not be included, signaling a departure from traditional G7 priorities.
Paris Peace Forum (2018): During a visit to France commemorating the end of World War I, Trump did not attend the inaugural Paris Peace Forum, an event focused on global cooperation and governance.
Instead, he visited the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, a move criticized for isolating the U.S. from discussions on international peace and diplomacy.
Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery (2018): After returning to Washington, Trump skipped the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
He cited a busy schedule, but the decision was widely condemned as disrespectful to American veterans.
Even VP Elect was willing to skip Inauguration to watch his Alma Mater play…then retracted the statement as a joke when he was scolded by VP Musk, we mean the public.
Vice President-elect JD Vance, an Ohio State alumnus, humorously suggested skipping his inauguration on January 20 to watch Ohio State play Notre Dame in the national championship game.
These absences highlight a clear pattern where Trump chose not to participate in events that presidents traditionally attend, raising questions about the criticism directed at Michelle Obama for her decision to skip his inauguration.
The Double Standard
Fast forward to 2025, and Michelle Obama’s decision to skip Trump’s inauguration is met with accusations of pettiness. Critics argue that her absence disrupts the unity such ceremonies represent.
However, supporters contend that her choice is a personal stance against an individual she believes undermines American democratic values.
A source close to Michelle stated,
“She’s not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake.”
This situation underscores a double standard in public expectations. When Trump bypassed Biden’s inauguration, it was largely interpreted as a breach of decorum.
Yet, Michelle Obama’s similar decision is criticized, despite her well-documented concerns about Trump’s impact on democratic institutions.
In her 2018 memoir, she denounced Trump’s “birther” campaign and has been vocal about her opposition to his divisive policies.
It’s also worth noting that Michelle Obama attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, fulfilling her role as the outgoing First Lady despite her personal reservations.
Her current decision reflects a personal boundary, emphasizing authenticity over tradition. As one source noted, “Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or its tradition.”
But wait… did we forget?
It was Mentioned that the HYPOCRISY is strong with this one,
Events Melania Trump Skipped During Her Tenure (he even had a look alike as if we were slow:
- 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos:
- Melania canceled her trip, citing scheduling and logistical issues. This decision came amid reports of her husband’s alleged affair with Stormy Daniels.
- 2018 State of the Union Address:
- She arrived separately from President Trump, a departure from tradition, following allegations concerning her husband’s personal conduct.
- 2018 G7 Summit in Quebec:
- Melania did not accompany the President, with her spokesperson stating she would not attend due to medical advice following a kidney procedure.
- 2018 Singapore Summit:
- She was absent from the historic meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, again due to her recovery from surgery.
- 2018 Memorial Day Events:
- Melania was absent from public appearances during this period, including traditional Memorial Day ceremonies, as she recovered from her medical procedure.
- 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka:
- She did not attend this significant international event, with no official reason provided for her absence.
- 2020 Republican National Convention:
- While she delivered a speech from the White House Rose Garden, she did not attend the convention in person, a deviation from the norm for First Ladies.
Biden’s Inauguration (2021):
Melania Trump, alongside her husband, skipped the inauguration of President Joe Biden, marking a significant departure from the tradition of demonstrating a peaceful transfer of power.
Furthermore, reports suggest that Melania Trump is unlikely to move to Washington full-time if she becomes First Lady again, indicating a potential continuation of her limited public presence.
The criticism directed at Michelle Obama for skipping Trump’s inauguration overlooks the precedent set by Trump himself and fails to acknowledge her consistent stance on issues of democracy and integrity.
Labeling her actions as hypocritical ignores the broader context of her personal convictions and the choices made by others in similar positions.
Ultimately, this controversy reflects the complexities of balancing tradition, personal values, and the evolving expectations of public figures in today’s polarized political climate.
In other words, it is the pot calling the kettle burnt…sunburnt…
Thoughts?
SOURCES#
#CNN
#BBC
#WashingtonPost
#NPR
#WHCA
#NYTimes
#TheGuardian
#APNews
#MilitaryTimes
#TIME
#People
#Politico
#Reuters
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