Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won't attend Trump's inaugural lunch

[In It to Win It]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-presidents-obama-clinton-bush-041528798.html

Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will not attend President-elect Donald Trump's traditional inaugural lunch.

Obama received an invitation but declined to attend, according to a source familiar with the matter. Clinton also was invited but does not plan to attend, according to a second source familiar with the matter, while Bush's office said it was not tracking an invitation to the luncheon.

Former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton also received an invitation to the inaugural luncheon but will not attend, according to a third source familiar with the matter.

A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the absences.

All three former presidents, however, will attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day, according to their teams. The former first ladies will also attend the swearing-in ceremony except for Michelle Obama, according to the Obamas’ office. No reason was provided. Michelle Obama also did not attend the funeral service last week for former President Jimmy Carter, making hers the only absence among all living current and former presidents and first ladies.

[2naSalit]

1. I wish none of them...

Would attend the swearing in part.

[JohnSJ]

27. I agree. It only gives legitimacy to the deviant insurrectionist.

[montanacowboy]

2. But they will all legitimize

the swearing in? weak sauce. Michelle is the only one who has the balls not to go.

[PortTack]

6. Not going to judge or second guess their reasoning. I'm sure they'd prefer not to be there

[Kaleva]

9. Do you approve of her skipping Carter's funeral?

[Justice matters.]

10. She doesn't want to be in the same place the fascist racist is.

The felonious rapist has posted many awful words about her on his sh*tty platform.

Muskrat too on his...

And he wants her to be civil with him and his bunch of racist white supremacists?

Nope.

She defends her own self respect.

[Kaleva]

11. I asked about her skipping Carter's funeral

[Justice matters.]

12. The fascist racist in chief was there.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjdjz3pdd0o

[Kaleva]

13. So that's her reason for not paying final respects to Carter?

[live love laugh]

14. How would the person you're asking know that answer? Why badger them about it?

[Kaleva]

20. They gave an answer. I'm asking them for evidence.

If what they say is true, they'll easily be able to provide links to reputable sources that will support their claim.

If what the say is false or disinformation, then they won't be able to .

[Renew Deal]

21. I'm also wondering how they know the answer they gave

[Justice matters.]

16. She probably did that spiritually in her prayers.

You don't want her to be forced to look at the Central-Park-Five tyrannous racist who name-called her awfully on his sh*tty platform, right?

[kacekwl]

29. Possibly although

I'm sure she paid her respects in private.

[defacto7]

32. I remember a media announcer

at the funeral mentioning she was out of the country hosting another event. I have no backup for that though.

[kkmarie]

19. Why sit anywhere near the felon

His people would have been able to use a picture of the 2, just like with him and Jill. And trumpfuck would have new advertising for the next new grift. Aren't they working on a trump vodka??

I do wish they all sat out of the swearing in also. The flags will be flown at full staff for the felon. I don't think we Dems should worry about decorum or traditions.

[kacekwl]

26. Not my choice

but I would not be anywhere near the gas bag felon.

[JohnSJ]

28. The only reason she did that was because they were seating her next to the

sociopath. It was a protest of trump, not Carter.

[Kaleva]

37. Obama was seated next to Trump

[JohnSJ]

39. President Obama has a different viewpoint about "reaching out". Michelle Obama I suspect did not feel compelled to

legitimize someone who incited an insurrection against the U.S.

[yellowdogintexas]

40. The Former Presidents were seated in Seniority order. It took me a while to figure this out, but here goes

Left to Right:
Clinton 42
Bush 43
Obama 44
OrangeOne 45

Current President and Vice President on front row
Former Vice Presidents behind the former Presidents

I have been enjoying the memes popping up with possible "conversation" between 44 and 45 Some of them are really funny

[mentalsolstice]

42. Michelle's mom passed back in May.

However, at the time she had to power through a hard fought campaign. Maybe, just maybe, she’s still grieving in Hawaii. On top of that, having to attend a very public funeral, and sitting next to the orange hell beast was just a bit much for her. I didn’t see any complaints from the Carter family, so why are you so concerned? I consider it to be a private matter of concern.

[karynnj]

23. Or they legitimize the transfer of power unlike Trump 2020

who in addition to all Smith charged him for left town before the ceremony.

This has always been the norm though it has to be painful for those closest to the loss. I will never forget seeing John Kerry's or Hillary Clinton's face on what should have been one of the best days of their lives. There was a nobility and love of country in their presence.

[LSparkle]

3. I'm hoping the weather forecast gets worse ...

Maybe by Sunday night, the forecast for Monday a.m. will be less than -7 with windchill and they’ll all decide it’s not worth risking pneumonia to sit and listen to that thing drool on and on.

[electric_blue68]

4. Double Cheeseburgers?! Who could resist?

[tishaLA]

5. A show of quiet sanity

I with they'd release a joint statement, but it'd likely be spitting into the wind

[ReRe]

7. Listen

Michelle Obama hates his guts for being responsible for overturning Roe v Wade,
(among other things). If you missed her campaign speeches for Kamala Harris weeks
before the election, go look them up. Then you'll know what I mean.
Michelle suffers no fools. Period. Full stop.

[Deuxcents]

31. She doesn't owe anyone an explanation. Her actions speak louder than words. I applaud her 👏

[Submariner]

8. Felon47 should consider himself lucky

that First Lady Michelle Obama is maybe making the safe decision, for his sake, to not sit next to him, and succumb to what could be an overwhelming temptation to shoot him in the fucking head. Because no jury would convict her for putting her reputation on the line for our country.

[C0RI0LANUS]

17. For those interested, here are the people NOT attending Trumpf's coronation. Enjoy with your coffee. The list grew.

Last edited Thu Jan 16, 2025, 03:00 PM - Edit history (1)

The Leader of the Pack, First Lady Michelle Obama.


House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)



UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.




Former Special Counsel Jack Smith.



NYS Attorney General Letitia James.


Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.


Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to News18, Vice President Han Zheng or Foreign Minister Wang Yi might represent China on 20 Jan.



Mexico’s newly-elected President Claudia Sheinbaum.




Pope Francis selected ardent anti-Trump Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy (70) to be the Archbishop for the Washington DC diocese. (AP Photo 27 Aug 2022 / Andrew Medichini, File)


The "iffies:"



Matt Gaetz doppelganger Jair Bolsonaro, depending on whether the Brazilian Supreme Court releases his seized passport.



ICC-indicted war criminal Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

[orleans]

18. why would the chimp go if michelle isn't going to be there to accept his candies or whatever routine

the two of them had going

now w can stay home too.

and if he stays home then the clintons shouldn't go

and if they don't go then barack shouldn't go

and if barack isn't there then joe shouldn't go either

[yellowdogintexas]

41. they are not staying home, they are just booking it out of there as soon as possible.

I do not blame them. The Bidens will go in Marine One. Immediately after the speech. Don't remember if the VPOTUS goes in the chopper too.
'
I just heard someone on TV say this: "Remember when 'Hail To The Chief' is played, it is being played for President Joe Biden as he enters the stands". It may be the last time I smile when I hear that for a long time.
I am going to hate not smiling when I hear "President Joe Biden"

[Hekate]

22. I believe they stand as witnesses to grim history -- but will not break bread with trump

[karynnj]

24. Well said

[kacekwl]

25. Please reconsider and

do not attend the inauguration therefore showing support for your party the rule of law and America.

[JohnSJ]

30. If those attending his swearing in would turn their backs on him as the

oath is administered.

[underpants]

33. I thought the swearing at Noon WAS the official ceremony

[Blue_Tires]

34. Why should they? Donnie's not the legitimate president...

[underpants]

36. It's going to be COLD too

The high will be 26 with 10-20 MPH winds.

[Quiet Em]

35. Good. I don't blame them.

They have to attend the inaguration just for the sake of Democracy and the peaceful transfer of power but after that they don't owe that con artist a damn thing.

[MineralMan]

38. Maybe They Just Don't Like McDonalds.