Michelle Obama to skip inauguration after absence at Jimmy Carter’s funeral

Former first lady's office provides no explanation for plan to miss Trump ceremony in unusual break from tradition

The former first lady Michelle Obama will skip Donald Trump's upcoming presidential inauguration, marking her second absence from a major gathering of US political figures this month.

While her husband and former president Barack Obama will join fellow formers Bill Clinton and George W Bush at the 20 January ceremony, Michelle Obama will not be in attendance. Her office provided no explanation for her planned absence from the event at the US Capitol.