Yahoo Lifestyle Here's A Reminder Of Just How Uncomfortable Donald Trump's 2017 Inauguration Was For Michelle Obama
Sorry for the jump scare, but President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration takes place in just a few days.
Ahead of the event, former first lady Michelle Obama's office announced that she will not be in attendance on Jan. 20.
According to People, a source they say is familiar with Obama's thinking told the publication, "There's no overstating her feelings about [Trump]. She's not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol's sake... You'll see her when she has a project or cause to promote but she doesn't feel the need to be a public figure anymore."
Following the announcement, netizens couldn't help but think back to the last time Obama watched a Trump inauguration in 2017, and just how...uncomfortable the whole situation was. So, let's take a journey back in time together, shall we?
To state plainly: Michelle Obama performed her role as a former first lady making room for the next.
She accepted a kiss from Melania Trump...
...and Donald Trump.
She even accepted a gift from the duo.
But the whole thing had a thick layer of awkwardness underneath.
the only good moment of this inauguration is michelle jim-facing the camera like "why did she give me this box" pic.twitter.com/WoGAWfKS0l
— jonny sun (@jonnysun) January 20, 2017
NBC News / Twitter: @jonnysun
In her memoir Becoming, Obama wrote that she "stopped even trying to smile" during Trump's inauguration.
"The vibrant diversity of the two previous inaugurations was gone. ... Someone from Barack's administration might have said that the optics there were bad — that what the public saw didn’t reflect the president’s reality or ideals," she wrote.
"But in this case, maybe it did. Realizing it, I made my own optic adjustment: I stopped even trying to smile."
The emotions were palpable.
Obama's side-eyes throughout the event even became a meme.
Michelle Obama's side-eyes were absoultely the best part of the presidential inauguration https://t.co/PNckdkqsU2 pic.twitter.com/I0XKBzL0Cn
— Blavity (@Blavity) January 20, 2017
YouTube: France 24 English / youtube.com / Twitter: @Blavity
This same meme has resurfaced now, about eight years later, as a way for people to display their displeasure over Trump's second inauguration.
Michelle Obama is trending. I don't blame her for snubbing the Trump inauguration.I'll be doing what she's doing. pic.twitter.com/IOL3Z5Vahp
— Holly 🌻 (@Msdesignerlady) January 15, 2025
YouTube: France 24 English / youtube.com / Twitter: @Blavity / Twitter: @Msdesignerlady
So, regardless of her rationale, many people say they can't blame her for not attending.
Michelle Obama is doing the right thing!In 2025.. who cares about the optics.Standing on principles should be commended. The people concerned about her not attending should be more critical and laser focused on the incoming felon assuming the presidency. pic.twitter.com/lnFaok6gVU
— Charli Huxley (@ImKnotTheOne) January 14, 2025
BET / Twitter: @ImKnotTheOne
Welp. We'll be watching, so stick around for BuzzFeed's coverage.
Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we don’t show”💅🏽 pic.twitter.com/Sh9PnwvKgN
— Ash (@AsharisArtistry) January 14, 2025
C-SPAN / Twitter: @AsharisArtistry
