Speculation Runs Rampant After Pelosi, Michelle Obama Say They’ll Skip Trump Inaugural

The co-hosts of Fox News’s Outnumbered discussed announcements last week from Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former first lady Michelle Obama about their decisions not to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, offering potential reasons for their absence.

“When you look at people who are not going, Nancy Pelosi is not going, we don’t know why… Michelle Obama not going. Again, we don’t know the exact rationale,” began Kayleigh McEnany, a co-host and former press secretary during Trump’s first term.

“But, you know, when you look at this and you think about it, their decision not to go, however, is it a tone-deaf decision? Is it one in which you missed the 77 million Americans who show up and said, ‘this is our guy?’” she questioned.

Kaylee McGee White, editor at the Independent Women’s Forum, responded, “Yeah, I think it’s important to remember that Trump and Melania didn’t go to Biden’s inauguration. So I don’t think it’s necessary for political leaders to necessarily go to their rivals’ inauguration. However, they can’t use the weather as an excuse this time around.”

White continued, “I will say, I hope the Trump transition team makes an effort to have as many people inside the rotunda for the swearing-in as possible. I know a lot of people were looking forward to going to that. I am planning on bringing my dad.”

“He was the first guy ever that I heard of in 2016 who told me as soon as Trump went down the escalator, ‘Donald Trump is going to win the White House.’ So I know he’s really looking forward to that moment as well,” White added.

“You know, it’s not just Donald Trump’s moment. It’s the Trump voters’ moment as well that they get to see this return to the White House, and they get to see this agenda implemented, finally. I think it’s a really hopeful day and one everyone is looking forward to,” she concluded.

ABC News reported that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined an invitation to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. While her office did not specify a reason, the 84-year-old recently suffered a broken hip following a fall in Germany.

Although Michelle Obama is not attending, former President Barack Obama is expected to be present at the ceremony.

“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” read a brief statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for former President George W. Bush confirmed that he and former First Lady Laura Bush plan to attend the event. Michelle Obama also did not attend the recent funeral for Jimmy Carter, where all the living former presidents and first ladies gathered, CBS News reported.

Michelle Obama, who has been present at every inauguration since 2008—including Trump’s first in 2017—previously reflected on her experience at that event.

“To sit on that stage and watch the opposite of what we represented on display, there was no diversity, there was no color on that stage,” Obama said. “There was no reflection of the broader sense of America. Many people took pictures of me and they’re like, you weren’t in a good mood. No, I was not.”