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NY Post
Page Six
20 Jan 2025


NextImg:Barack Obama arrives at Donald Trump’s inauguration without Michelle
Barack Obama attended President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration solo Monday. Fox

Barry O is riding solo.

Barack Obama showed up to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, DC, without his wife, Michelle Obama, by his side Monday.

The former president arrived at the United States Capitol Rotunda with a staffer instead of his wife ahead of the incoming commander-in-chief’s second swearing-in ceremony.

Michelle Obama, seen here in 2024, did not join her husband in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Trump, seen here in 2020, was sworn in as the 47th president Monday. Getty Images

Barack, 63, wore a black suit and striped tie for the occasion.

The Obamas’ office announced last week that Michelle, 61, would not be joining her husband for the event.

“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” the office said in a statement on Jan. 14.

Barack Obama, seen here in 2024, wore a black suit for the occasion. AFP via Getty Images
Trump arrived with his wife Melania for the inauguration. REUTERS
The Obamas’ office confirmed last week that Michelle would not be attending the inauguration with her husband, seen here in 2018. Getty Images
A source told Page Six the former FLOTUS, seen here in 2023, skipped the event because she is not a “phony.” GC Images

While reps did not give a reason for Michelle’s absence, a source familiar with the Obamas’ circle later told Page Six exclusively that she was skipping the inauguration because she is “no phony.”

“She’s never been fake. … She’s always been very deliberate about where and how she shows up,” the insider said.

“She showed up reluctantly for the election. They were united, but she doesn’t have to unify around [Trump]. She doesn’t have to say anything. Her absence speaks volumes.”

Barack, on the other hand, appears to be playing nice with Trump.

The pair were seen having what appeared to be a friendly chat while seated next to each other at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this month.

“She’s always been very deliberate about where and how she shows up,” the source told us of Michelle, seen here in 2023. Michelle Obama Barack/Instagram
Trump and Barack were seen having a friendly chat at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this month. Getty Images

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Trump, 78, later reflected on his cordial banter with the 44th POTUS, admitting to NBC News that he “didn’t realize how friendly” their conversation looked until the video went viral.

“I said, ‘Boy, they look like two people that like each other.’ And we probably do,” the “Apprentice” alum said at the time.

“We have a little different philosophies, right? But we probably do [like each other]. I don’t know. We just got along. But I got along with just about everybody.”

Michelle notably attended Trump’s first inauguration ceremony in 2017. AFP via Getty Images
The former first lady, seen here in 2017, was not at Carter’s funeral because she was reportedly in Hawaii. Getty Images

Michelle, for her part, was also a no-show at Carter’s funeral because she was reportedly on an “extended holiday vacation” in Hawaii.

The “Becoming” author was the only living former first lady to not attend Trump’s inauguration Monday; former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden were all joined by their respective wives, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Jill Biden.

Michelle notably attended Trump’s first inauguration with Barack in 2017.