Widespread speculation has followed former First Lady Michelle Obama’s choice to extend her Hawaii vacation rather than attend the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter on January 9, 2025. Notably, former President Donald Trump was present at the historic event. The absence of Mrs. Obama at the Washington National Cathedral made her the sole living former first lady not in attendance, even as her husband sat next to Trump, his longstanding political adversary.
Mrs. Obama’s prolonged Hawaiian vacation and alleged “scheduling conflicts” stood out, especially considering her strained interaction with Trump at former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral in 2018. At that time, she had a notably uncomfortable handshake with Trump, who she had criticized in her memoir for endorsing conspiracy theories about her husband.
A representative for Mrs. Obama issued a statement that tactfully sidestepped an explanation for her absence, stating, “Mrs. Obama sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from the remarkable former President.” There was no official rationale provided for her decision not to attend the funeral and Mrs. Obama’s office did not respond to further requests for clarification as to why her schedule could not be rearranged.
Jeff Zeleny of CNN offered additional insight during the network’s coverage of the funeral, reporting, “I’m told by her advisors that she has scheduling conflicts. She’s actually still in Hawaii for an extended holiday vacation.”
The other first ladies; Jill Biden, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Melania Trump, traveled to Washington, DC, for the historic event.
The undercurrent of tension between Mrs. Obama and Trump is deep-seated. In her best-selling memoir “Becoming,” she wrote about Trump’s propagation of the “birther” conspiracy theory, saying, “Donald Trump, with his loud and reckless innuendos, was putting my family’s safety at risk. And for this, I’d never forgive him.” She described his actions as “crazy and mean-spirited,” with roots in “underlying bigotry and xenophobia.”
Despite this strained relationship, Barack Obama attended the funeral solo and was seen in a seemingly friendly conversation with Trump, one of the most-discussed moments of the ceremony. Obama was seen smiling and laughing as Trump leaned over to speak with him.
The state funeral, a rare occasion, assembled a remarkable group of American leaders, including First Lady Jill Biden, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and all living former presidents. These events typically occur only for presidential state funerals, serving as instances of national unity that surpass political disparities.
Particular attention was drawn to the contrast between Mrs. Obama’s absence and her prior presence at the funeral of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in November 2023. Mrs. Obama had traveled to pay her respects at Rosalynn Carter’s service, while Barack Obama did not, making her non-attendance at Jimmy Carter’s funeral more notable.
Social media responses to Mrs. Obama’s absence were mixed. One user stated, “Incredibly disrespectful, and this would be 24-hour news if Melania did this,” while another supported her decision, writing, “Good for her!!!! Black women have clocked OUT, and I’m here for it!!!!”
The seating arrangements at Carter’s funeral were particularly intriguing, as they have traditionally created memorable moments at presidential funerals. At George H.W. Bush’s funeral in 2018, the Obamas were seated between the Trumps and the Clintons, a placement that resulted in a widely discussed moment of forced proximity between political rivals.
The ceremony’s front rows showcased the entirety of American leadership with current and former presidents and their spouses arranged in a meticulously planned seating arrangement. President Biden and Vice President Harris were at the forefront, followed by former presidents and foreign dignitaries, making the vacant seat beside Barack Obama even more noticeable.
