Michelle Obama, Karen Pence Skip Trump Inauguration

The media drew attention to the attendance of former presidents, their spouses, and others at President Donald Trump's inauguration Monday, with noticeable absences from Michelle Obama and Karen Pence.

The Details: Former Vice President Mike Pence attended Trump's swearing-in ceremony without his wife. Meanwhile, Barack Obama entered the U.S. Capitol Rotunda without Michelle by his side. Karen didn’t provide any statements about her absence. Michelle reposted a message on social media on Inauguration Day commemorating the late Martin Luther King Jr, but didn’t address her decision to skip Trump’s inauguration.

For Context: Last week, the Obamas announced her planned absence, while confirming the former president’s attendance. Michelle also didn't attend former President Jimmy Carter's funeral. The Pence-Trump relationship was strained after the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, when Pence refused to follow Trump's order to block certifying Joe Biden as president.

Key Quotes: People Magazine (Lean Left bias) quoted an anonymous source who said, "There's no overstating [Michelle’s] feelings about [Trump]. She's not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol's sake." Pence posted a message earlier on X, saying, “This is a day when every American does well to celebrate our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States,” but didn’t mention Karen’s absence.

How The Media Covered It: Fox News (Right bias) pointed out that former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton “arrived alongside their spouses, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former first lady Laura Bush.” The Independent (Lean Left) mostly highlighted social media comments supporting Michelle Obama's decision to skip the inauguration, as well as some criticizing her.