Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush won’t attend President-elect Donald Trump’s conventional inaugural lunch, numerous sources advised NBC News.
Obama acquired an invite however declined to attend, in keeping with a supply conversant in the matter. Clinton additionally was invited however doesn’t plan to attend, in keeping with a second supply conversant in the matter, whereas Bush’s workplace mentioned that it was not monitoring an invite to the luncheon.
Former Secretary of State and first girl Hillary Clinton additionally acquired an invite to the inaugural luncheon however won’t attend, in keeping with a 3rd supply conversant in the matter.
A spokesperson for Trump’s transition workforce didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon the luncheon absences.
All three former presidents, nonetheless, will attend Trump’s swearing-in ceremony earlier within the day, in keeping with their groups. The former first girls may even attend the swearing-in ceremony except for former first lady Michelle Obama, in keeping with the Obamas’ workplace. No motive was supplied. Michelle Obama additionally didn’t attend the funeral service final week for former President Jimmy Carter, making her the one absence amongst all dwelling present and former presidents and first girls.
Inauguration Day marks one of many solely events when all former dwelling presidents normally congregate to usher within the subsequent administration. Trump, nonetheless, declined to attend President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
None of the previous dwelling presidents supported Trump’s candidacy. Bush did not make an endorsement, and Obama and Clinton actively campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Clintons attended the luncheon in 2017 after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. During the luncheon, Trump inspired a standing ovation for Hillary Clinton, who ran in opposition to him within the 2016 election.
“I used to be very honored, very, very honored once I heard that President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton was coming at this time,” Trump mentioned on the time.
The inaugural luncheon custom stems from a lunch hosted by the Senate Committee on Arrangements in 1897 for then-President William McKinley and visitors on the Capitol, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), which hosts the luncheon.
In 1953, the JCCIC started internet hosting the luncheon for the incoming president, vice chairman and their visitors. During the lunch, politicians usually ship speeches and toast the brand new administration.
