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.
