At the state funeral for former US President Jimmy Carter on Thursday, Michelle Obama was notably absent. The service at Washington National Cathedral saw attendance from all other living former presidents and their spouses. Barack Obama was seated in the front pews, positioned just behind President Joe Biden, vice president Kamala Harris, and their respective spouses.
When contacted, Michelle Obama’s office acknowledged her absence through a statement from spokesperson Crystal Carson, “Former First Lady Michelle Obama is not in attendance at President Carter’s National Funeral Service. Mrs Obama sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from the remarkable former President.”
According to CNN’s reporting, the former first lady remained in Hawaii on an “extended vacation” due to a scheduling conflict.
Such state funerals traditionally serve as rare occasions that unite current and former national leaders, alongside government officials from various branches and international representatives.
During the service, interactions between political rivals appeared cordial. Barack Obama engaged in conversation with Donald Trump, his Republican successor. Similarly, Bill Clinton and George W Bush demonstrated civility. Trump and Mike Pence exchanged handshakes, despite their falling out over the 2020 election results when Pence declined to support Trump’s efforts to retain the presidency after losing to Democrat Biden.
The dignitaries are scheduled to convene again in Washington on January 20 for Trump’s second presidential inauguration. There was no immediate response from Michelle Obama’s spokesperson regarding her attendance at the upcoming ceremony.