Joe Battenfeld: Michelle Obama latest Democrat to pass on Donald Trump's Inauguration

Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald on Jan 17, 2025

Published in Op Eds

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For the second time this month, former first lady Michelle Obama is snubbing Donald Trump, yet another sign that sore loser Democrats can’t handle Trump’s election victory.

Mrs. Obama, who has been touted as a possible presidential contender in the future, is boycotting Trump’s Inauguration next week – the most prominent political figure to do so, though Democrats who won’t go are refusing to call it a boycott.

“I think it’s just kind of a general conflict of logistics,” U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said of her skipping the event. Sure, right. Other lawmakers said they were not attending the Inaugural festivities because it occurs on Martin Luther KIng, Jr. Day.

Michelle Obama’s snub is raising speculation she could be setting herself up for a more active political role in the Democratic Party.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and other elected Democrats like have also announced that they won’t be going to the Inauguration.

“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies,” his office said in a statement. “Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”

It’s the second time Obama will be skipping a face to face encounter with Trump. She also did not attend former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral services earlier this month.

Mrs. Obama missed the Carter funeral due to a “scheduling conflict,” her office claimed. But it was obvious she wanted to avoid sitting next to Trump during the services.

That role went to her husband, Barack Obama, who pleasantly chatted with Trump during the services while other former presidents and their spouses largely ignored the President-elect.

Mrs. Obama has accused Trump of being a racist who can’t handle Black and female politicians.

“For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us,” Mrs. Obama said at last year’s Democratic convention, where she was given a prominent speaking role. “See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black.”

Trump’s election victory has now exposed Michelle Obama as one of many Democrats too upset to confront Trump in a public space – but that could still happen.

The Inauguration could lay bare the wounds that many Democrats have felt with the election.

Don’t expect Jill Biden or many others to give Trump a warm greeting on stage.

Trump himself refused to attend Joe Biden’s Inauguration in 2021, saying he did not win the election.