Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, did not attend the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday, citing a scheduling conflict.
While her husband, former President Barack Obama, was present at the ceremony, Michelle Obama was in Hawaii on an extended holiday vacation, according to her aides.
“Mrs. Obama sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from the remarkable former President,” said Crystal Carson, a spokesperson for Michelle Obama, in a statement to Politico.
The Seating Arrangement and Historical Tensions
Had she attended, Michelle Obama would have been seated alongside former President Donald Trump. The Obamas and Trump have a contentious history, with the former First Lady and her husband being vocal critics of Trump’s leadership.
Trump, who attended the funeral alongside all five living U.S. presidents and their spouses, has previously made inflammatory remarks about the Obamas. He spearheaded the racist “birther” conspiracy theory challenging Barack Obama’s U.S. citizenship and frequently attacked the couple during his presidency. On the campaign trail, he referred to Michelle Obama as “nasty” and implied he might retaliate against her critiques.
The Obamas, in turn, have been outspoken in their criticism of Trump. In 2020, Barack Obama described another Trump term as “four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos,” while Michelle Obama accused Trump of sowing division and fear.
A Moment of Civility
Despite the historical tensions, Barack Obama and Donald Trump were seen sharing smiles and conversation during the funeral, an exchange that quickly went viral. Trump later remarked on the interaction, saying:
“It did look very friendly, I must say… But we all got along very well, which is good.”
Remembering Jimmy Carter
The funeral of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, brought together political figures from across the spectrum to honor his legacy.
While Michelle Obama’s absence was notable, her sentiments toward the Carter family reflected the respect and admiration the Obamas have publicly expressed for the former president and his contributions to the nation.
