The lunch after the inauguration of the new American president with his predecessors is a tradition – but three former heads of state do not want to have lunch with Donald Trump on the occasion of his reinstatement to the highest office. One said he hadn’t even received an invitation.
According to NBC News, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush want to skip the traditional lunch with the Republican. Democrats Obama and Clinton said they had received an invitation but would not attend, an anonymous source said. The office of Trump’s colleague Bush said he was not invited. A spokesperson for Trump’s team declined to comment on these circumstances.
Michelle Obama cancels swearing-in ceremony
However, all three want to participate in the swearing-in ceremony before lunch. They are bringing their former first ladies, only Michelle Obama will be missing. No reason for their absence was given when asked at the couple’s office. She did not attend former President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service.
Neither Clinton, Obama nor Bush supported Trump’s candidacy. Obama and Clinton actively campaigned for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump not at Biden’s inauguration
Trump’s inauguration will take place on January 20 – an event normally attended by all living US presidents. However, Trump refrained from doing so during the last swearing-in of his predecessor Joe Biden.
At his first inauguration in 2017, the Clinton couple were having lunch. “I was very honored, very honored when I heard that President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were coming today,” Trump said at the time.
The tradition dates back to 1897, when the Senate Judiciary Committee hosted such an event at the Capitol for President William McKinley. Normally, speeches are also given on this occasion by the politicians present about the new government.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
