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In It to Win It

(9,857 posts)
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 12:52 AM 23 hrs ago

Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won't attend Trump's inaugural lunch

https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-presidents-obama-clinton-bush-041528798.html


Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will not attend President-elect Donald Trump's traditional inaugural lunch.

Obama received an invitation but declined to attend, according to a source familiar with the matter. Clinton also was invited but does not plan to attend, according to a second source familiar with the matter, while Bush's office said it was not tracking an invitation to the luncheon.

Former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton also received an invitation to the inaugural luncheon but will not attend, according to a third source familiar with the matter.

A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the absences.

All three former presidents, however, will attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day, according to their teams. The former first ladies will also attend the swearing-in ceremony except for Michelle Obama, according to the Obamas’ office. No reason was provided. Michelle Obama also did not attend the funeral service last week for former President Jimmy Carter, making hers the only absence among all living current and former presidents and first ladies.
42 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won't attend Trump's inaugural lunch (Original Post) In It to Win It 23 hrs ago OP
I wish none of them... 2naSalit 23 hrs ago #1
I agree. It only gives legitimacy to the deviant insurrectionist. JohnSJ 14 hrs ago #27
But they will all legitimize montanacowboy 23 hrs ago #2
Not going to judge or second guess their reasoning. I'm sure they'd prefer not to be there PortTack 22 hrs ago #6
Do you approve of her skipping Carter's funeral? Kaleva 22 hrs ago #9
She doesn't want to be in the same place the fascist racist is. Justice matters. 22 hrs ago #10
I asked about her skipping Carter's funeral Kaleva 22 hrs ago #11
The fascist racist in chief was there. Justice matters. 22 hrs ago #12
So that's her reason for not paying final respects to Carter? Kaleva 21 hrs ago #13
How would the person you're asking know that answer? Why badger them about it? live love laugh 21 hrs ago #14
They gave an answer. I'm asking them for evidence. Kaleva 18 hrs ago #20
I'm also wondering how they know the answer they gave Renew Deal 16 hrs ago #21
She probably did that spiritually in her prayers. Justice matters. 21 hrs ago #16
Possibly although kacekwl 14 hrs ago #29
I remember a media announcer defacto7 14 hrs ago #32
Why sit anywhere near the felon kkmarie 20 hrs ago #19
Not my choice kacekwl 14 hrs ago #26
The only reason she did that was because they were seating her next to the JohnSJ 14 hrs ago #28
Obama was seated next to Trump Kaleva 10 hrs ago #37
President Obama has a different viewpoint about "reaching out". Michelle Obama I suspect did not feel compelled to JohnSJ 9 hrs ago #39
The Former Presidents were seated in Seniority order. It took me a while to figure this out, but here goes yellowdogintexas 6 hrs ago #40
Michelle's mom passed back in May. mentalsolstice 6 hrs ago #42
Or they legitimize the transfer of power unlike Trump 2020 karynnj 15 hrs ago #23
I'm hoping the weather forecast gets worse ... LSparkle 23 hrs ago #3
Double Cheeseburgers?! Who could resist? electric_blue68 22 hrs ago #4
A show of quiet sanity tishaLA 22 hrs ago #5
Listen ReRe 22 hrs ago #7
She doesn't owe anyone an explanation. Her actions speak louder than words. I applaud her 👏 Deuxcents 14 hrs ago #31
Felon47 should consider himself lucky Submariner 22 hrs ago #8
This message was self-deleted by its author mobeau69 21 hrs ago #15
For those interested, here are the people NOT attending Trumpf's coronation. Enjoy with your coffee. The list grew. C0RI0LANUS 21 hrs ago #17
why would the chimp go if michelle isn't going to be there to accept his candies or whatever routine orleans 21 hrs ago #18
they are not staying home, they are just booking it out of there as soon as possible. yellowdogintexas 6 hrs ago #41
I believe they stand as witnesses to grim history -- but will not break bread with trump Hekate 15 hrs ago #22
Well said karynnj 15 hrs ago #24
Please reconsider and kacekwl 14 hrs ago #25
If those attending his swearing in would turn their backs on him as the JohnSJ 14 hrs ago #30
I thought the swearing at Noon WAS the official ceremony underpants 14 hrs ago #33
Why should they? Donnie's not the legitimate president... Blue_Tires 14 hrs ago #34
It's going to be COLD too underpants 14 hrs ago #36
Good. I don't blame them. Quiet Em 14 hrs ago #35
Maybe They Just Don't Like McDonalds. MineralMan 10 hrs ago #38

montanacowboy

(6,372 posts)
2. But they will all legitimize
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 01:03 AM
23 hrs ago

the swearing in? weak sauce. Michelle is the only one who has the balls not to go.

PortTack

(34,971 posts)
6. Not going to judge or second guess their reasoning. I'm sure they'd prefer not to be there
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 02:01 AM
22 hrs ago

Justice matters.

(7,654 posts)
10. She doesn't want to be in the same place the fascist racist is.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 02:43 AM
22 hrs ago

The felonious rapist has posted many awful words about her on his sh*tty platform.

Muskrat too on his...

And he wants her to be civil with him and his bunch of racist white supremacists?

Nope.

She defends her own self respect.

Kaleva

(38,748 posts)
20. They gave an answer. I'm asking them for evidence.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 06:11 AM
18 hrs ago

If what they say is true, they'll easily be able to provide links to reputable sources that will support their claim.

If what the say is false or disinformation, then they won't be able to .

Justice matters.

(7,654 posts)
16. She probably did that spiritually in her prayers.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 03:16 AM
21 hrs ago

You don't want her to be forced to look at the Central-Park-Five tyrannous racist who name-called her awfully on his sh*tty platform, right?

defacto7

(13,689 posts)
32. I remember a media announcer
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 10:06 AM
14 hrs ago

at the funeral mentioning she was out of the country hosting another event. I have no backup for that though.

kkmarie

(21 posts)
19. Why sit anywhere near the felon
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 03:59 AM
20 hrs ago

His people would have been able to use a picture of the 2, just like with him and Jill. And trumpfuck would have new advertising for the next new grift. Aren't they working on a trump vodka??

I do wish they all sat out of the swearing in also. The flags will be flown at full staff for the felon. I don't think we Dems should worry about decorum or traditions.

JohnSJ

(96,949 posts)
28. The only reason she did that was because they were seating her next to the
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 09:57 AM
14 hrs ago

sociopath. It was a protest of trump, not Carter.

JohnSJ

(96,949 posts)
39. President Obama has a different viewpoint about "reaching out". Michelle Obama I suspect did not feel compelled to
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 03:00 PM
9 hrs ago

legitimize someone who incited an insurrection against the U.S.


yellowdogintexas

(22,900 posts)
40. The Former Presidents were seated in Seniority order. It took me a while to figure this out, but here goes
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 06:05 PM
6 hrs ago

Left to Right:
Clinton 42
Bush 43
Obama 44
OrangeOne 45

Current President and Vice President on front row
Former Vice Presidents behind the former Presidents

I have been enjoying the memes popping up with possible "conversation" between 44 and 45 Some of them are really funny

mentalsolstice

(4,535 posts)
42. Michelle's mom passed back in May.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 06:27 PM
6 hrs ago

However, at the time she had to power through a hard fought campaign. Maybe, just maybe, she’s still grieving in Hawaii. On top of that, having to attend a very public funeral, and sitting next to the orange hell beast was just a bit much for her. I didn’t see any complaints from the Carter family, so why are you so concerned? I consider it to be a private matter of concern.

karynnj

(60,047 posts)
23. Or they legitimize the transfer of power unlike Trump 2020
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 09:14 AM
15 hrs ago

who in addition to all Smith charged him for left town before the ceremony.

This has always been the norm though it has to be painful for those closest to the loss. I will never forget seeing John Kerry's or Hillary Clinton's face on what should have been one of the best days of their lives. There was a nobility and love of country in their presence.

LSparkle

(11,868 posts)
3. I'm hoping the weather forecast gets worse ...
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 01:16 AM
23 hrs ago

Maybe by Sunday night, the forecast for Monday a.m. will be less than -7 with windchill and they’ll all decide it’s not worth risking pneumonia to sit and listen to that thing drool on and on.

tishaLA

(14,365 posts)
5. A show of quiet sanity
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 02:00 AM
22 hrs ago

I with they'd release a joint statement, but it'd likely be spitting into the wind

ReRe

(10,968 posts)
7. Listen
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 02:06 AM
22 hrs ago

Michelle Obama hates his guts for being responsible for overturning Roe v Wade,
(among other things). If you missed her campaign speeches for Kamala Harris weeks
before the election, go look them up. Then you'll know what I mean.
Michelle suffers no fools. Period. Full stop.

Deuxcents

(20,418 posts)
31. She doesn't owe anyone an explanation. Her actions speak louder than words. I applaud her 👏
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 10:03 AM
14 hrs ago

Submariner

(12,747 posts)
8. Felon47 should consider himself lucky
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 02:19 AM
22 hrs ago

that First Lady Michelle Obama is maybe making the safe decision, for his sake, to not sit next to him, and succumb to what could be an overwhelming temptation to shoot him in the fucking head. Because no jury would convict her for putting her reputation on the line for our country.

Response to In It to Win It (Original post)

C0RI0LANUS

(2,369 posts)
17. For those interested, here are the people NOT attending Trumpf's coronation. Enjoy with your coffee. The list grew.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 03:42 AM
21 hrs ago

Last edited Thu Jan 16, 2025, 03:00 PM - Edit history (1)


The Leader of the Pack, First Lady Michelle Obama.


House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)



UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.




Former Special Counsel Jack Smith.



NYS Attorney General Letitia James.


Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.


Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to News18, Vice President Han Zheng or Foreign Minister Wang Yi might represent China on 20 Jan.



Mexico’s newly-elected President Claudia Sheinbaum.




Pope Francis selected ardent anti-Trump Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy (70) to be the Archbishop for the Washington DC diocese. (AP Photo 27 Aug 2022 / Andrew Medichini, File)


The "iffies:"



Matt Gaetz doppelganger Jair Bolsonaro, depending on whether the Brazilian Supreme Court releases his seized passport.



ICC-indicted war criminal Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

orleans

(35,434 posts)
18. why would the chimp go if michelle isn't going to be there to accept his candies or whatever routine
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 03:45 AM
21 hrs ago

the two of them had going

now w can stay home too.

and if he stays home then the clintons shouldn't go

and if they don't go then barack shouldn't go

and if barack isn't there then joe shouldn't go either



yellowdogintexas

(22,900 posts)
41. they are not staying home, they are just booking it out of there as soon as possible.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 06:14 PM
6 hrs ago

I do not blame them. The Bidens will go in Marine One. Immediately after the speech. Don't remember if the VPOTUS goes in the chopper too.
'
I just heard someone on TV say this: "Remember when 'Hail To The Chief' is played, it is being played for President Joe Biden as he enters the stands". It may be the last time I smile when I hear that for a long time.
I am going to hate not smiling when I hear "President Joe Biden"

kacekwl

(7,721 posts)
25. Please reconsider and
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 09:53 AM
14 hrs ago

do not attend the inauguration therefore showing support for your party the rule of law and America.

JohnSJ

(96,949 posts)
30. If those attending his swearing in would turn their backs on him as the
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 09:59 AM
14 hrs ago

oath is administered.


Quiet Em

(1,361 posts)
35. Good. I don't blame them.
Thu Jan 16, 2025, 10:15 AM
14 hrs ago

They have to attend the inaguration just for the sake of Democracy and the peaceful transfer of power but after that they don't owe that con artist a damn thing.

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