Former first lady Michelle Obama has reportedly ‘checked out’ of Washington DC life after she decided to snub Donald Trump‘s inauguration.
Sources close to the 61-year-old told Page Six that after she and her husband Barack left the White House in 2017, she ‘checked out’ of DC politics.
Insiders say it has led to ‘nonstop chatter that Michelle is fed up with the political circus and pretending everything is OK with Barack all the time.’ The comments come amid swirling rumors that the former first couple’s relationship is on the rocks.
A source who worked with the couple added: ‘They don’t pretend that they have this Camelot relationship. They’re not trying to present that they’re this magical couple.’
Speaking on her move to not attend Monday’s ceremony, they added: ‘She’s always been very deliberate about where and how she shows up.
‘She showed up reluctantly for the election. They were united, but she doesn’t have to unify around [Trump]. Her absence speaks volumes.’
The move is ‘getting a lot of DC peeps talking. I’m told she was furious at seeing her husband yukking it up with Trump at the Carter funeral’ the source added.
Barack and the president-elect lit up the internet as the two were spotted chatting and laughing together at Jimmy Carter’s memorial service, which she didn’t attend.
Sources close to the 61-year-old told Page Six that after her and husband Barack left the White House in 2017 she ‘checked out’ of DC politics
The former first lady has been less publicly engaged since the death of her mother, Marian Robinson, in May
On Friday, Barack quelled these divorce rumors by posting a gushing tribute to his wife, who he described as the ‘love of his life‘.
‘Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,’ he wrote, alongside a snap that showed them holding hands while enjoying dinner.
‘You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you.’
Michelle was said to have missed Carter’s funeral due to a ‘scheduling conflict’ as she enjoyed an extended holiday in Hawaii.
The former first lady has been less publicly engaged since the death of her mother, Marian Robinson, in May.
When she spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, she remarked that her grief almost kept her from coming onstage.
‘I still feel her loss so profoundly – I wasn’t even sure I’d be steady enough to stand before you tonight,’ she told the massive crowd at Chicago‘s United Center.
Trump and Obama share intimate conversation at Carter’s funeral
On Friday, Barack quelled these divorce rumors by posting a gushing tribute to his wife, who he described as the ‘love of his life’
The last time she was present in the same room as Trump was in 2018 during the funeral of former President H.W. Bush, seen here
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Dec 2024: Barack and Michelle Obama on cozy date night at LA hotspot
Still she headlined several campaign events for Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, ahead of Election Day.
Generally, former presidents and first ladies have attended inaugurations – even for the president of the opposite party – unless they were suffering from health issues.
Trump blew up that modern precedent four years ago, by refusing to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, President Joe Biden.
Barack is still planning on attending Monday’s swearing in despite the absence of his wife.
The last time she was present in the same room as Trump was in 2018 during the funeral of former President H.W. Bush.
At the Bush funeral, the Obamas were seated in between then-president Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Michelle Obama made headlines at that ceremony after she awkwardly shook Trump’s hand and looked away.
Speculation erupted that the couple (seen in 2015) were having problems after her abcense from her husband’s side in recent weeks
Over the years, the couple has spoken candidly about their martial struggles
Michelle said she would never forgive Trump for pushing the ‘birther’ conspiracy in 2015 that her husband Barack Obama was not born in the United States.
‘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 wrote in her book Becoming.
She accused Trump as ‘crazy and mean-spirited’ for focusing on the attacks that were inspired by ‘underlying bigotry and xenophobia.’
Over the years, the couple has spoken candidly about their martial struggles, with Michelle previously describing the ‘resentment’ she had over having to put her career on hold to be a mother while Barack’s continued to flourish.
And tensions only grew during their time in the White House – thanks to the immense ‘pressure’ that came with ‘needing to get everything right and be “on” at every moment,’ as well as Barack’s focus on his work rather than his family.
But even at their worst, Barack explained to The Breakfast Club that they never let their arguments turn too ugly – and that they always ‘respected’ one another.
And he made it clear that even when they would fight, he never considered a divorce.
‘We were pretty good even when things were tough, we never loss basic respect for the other person,’ he shared.
‘We never thought that person was a bad person. We never said things that would make it seem that you completely disrespect me.
‘It was more, “I love you, Barack, but this is driving me crazy,” or, “I respect you, but…” I think that’s what kept us ’cause we never doubted each other’s intentions.
‘Michelle is a remarkable woman. Even if she drives me crazy sometimes, I never thought that there was anybody who I would rather be with.’
