'This is the way': Internet cheers as Michelle Obama snubs Trump's 'dictator coronation'
Former first lady Michelle Obama will skip Donald Trump’s second inauguration next week, her office revealed Tuesday, though it didn’t provide an explanation for her decision.
“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies,” according to a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama. “Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
Social media users wasted no time in filling in the blanks – with many noting the yearslong examples of bad blood between Michelle Obama and the incoming president, who used violent language to describe the former first lady during the 2024 campaign.
“Forever First Lady Michelle Obama will be skipping the dictator coronation on January 20th," singer Ricky Davila told his followers on X. “Good, she seems to be the only one who clearly understands the assignment.”
“I love Michelle Obama forever,” MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid wrote on Bluesky. “This is the way.”
ALSO READ: Jan. 6 committee member snaps back at GOP official demanding Democratic probe
“Will Hillary Clinton & Laura Bush follow Michelle Obama's example?” University of California, Irvine political science lecturer Larry Tenney wrote on Bluesky. “When they go low, we RSVP 'No!'"
Other users called out Trump for refusing to attend President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration just weeks after he led a violent mob of supporters to storm the Capitol while peddling a false claim that the 2020 election was stolen.
“I've now seen 6 reports on Michelle Obama's decision to skip Trump's inauguration -- CNN, NBC, AP, CBS, Politico and The Hill -- and not one mentions that Trump skipped Biden's just 4 years ago,” Los Angeles Time columnist Jackie Calmes wrote to her X followers. “Editors?”
“And before anyone says a negative word, let’s not forget—Trump skipped Biden’s inauguration,” designer Christopher Webb wrote in a social media post.
“I’m with Michelle Obama, I won’t be watching Trump’s inauguration either!” Bluesky user SuzyQ told her followers.
Michelle Obama was also not in attendance at last week’s memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter. She remained in Hawaii on a previously scheduled vacation instead, according to media reports.