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Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won't attend Trump's inaugural lunch

www.nbcnews.com Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won't attend Trump's inaugural lunch

The three former presidents will attend the swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day.

Summary

Former Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Bush, along with Hillary Clinton, will not attend Trump's inaugural lunch. Bush did not receive an invitation.

However, all three former presidents and their spouses, except Michelle Obama, will attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony.

The inaugural lunch, a tradition since 1897, typically includes speeches and toasts for the new administration.

None of the living former presidents endorsed Trump's candidacy, with Obama and Clinton actively campaigning for his opponents.

81 comments

i will also not be attending his inaugural lunch. i bet that will show him
- Idk sounds like woke socialism to me
  
  There’s no such thing as a free inaugural lunch.
- Definitely attending the part that matters though. Gotta show solidarity among the ruling class! ✊
I'm sure they can go to McDonald's on their own
- Neither is Henry Kissinger, first time he's ever missed one
  
  He lived entirely too long.
- Or maybe they don't like hamberders. My first thought.
I'm sure they're grown-ups and can get their own McDonald's.
- I still think about how cold all that is whenever I see this photo
  
  Some of the best athletes in the US ... being fed cold ~~McDonald's~~ Wendy's
- Whoa whoa, that looks like Wendy's... Let's not fuck around here man. Can't pass that up
  
  I can't stand Wendy's. It's consistently bad every time I've eaten it.
Wait, they actually invited Obama and Clinton but not Bush? What?
- It makes sense, when you consider their roles in the Conservative Cinematic Universe. Obama and the Clintons are the heels, the side that is meant to lose the pro wrestling match, the one which his audience boos. He wants them there in his moment of triumph so he can (metaphorically, thank god) teabag them to thunderous applause.
  
  Bush is meant to be on his side, though, since Trump is meant to own the loyalty of the entire party. Since Bush did not immediately do so, he is actually worse. At least the Clintons are playing their assigned role. Bush is a traitor to the Party, which means he is a traitor to Trump personally, so Bush needs to be pushed to the margins. (Let's hope that's the extent of it.)
  
  You know. I can actually imagine Trump sees the whole thing like a WWE match.
- Maybe they forgot that there were two Bushes and only remember the one that died.
  
  That honestly would not surprise me if it were true because they really are that inept and stupid.
- Conservatives hate Bush. He was supposed to be their "First Trump" an idiot trust fund baby that'll do everything they say. They wanted to fully occupy most of the middle east but Bush Sr told Jr no.
  
  He was Cheney’s puppet though. It’s interesting how decades later, on left leaning social tech platforms like Lemmy and Reddit (maybe earlier Reddit) how history seems to have recorded him (to some anyway) as the good Republican. As the nice guy. The guy you want to have a beer with.
  
  He could've said something during the election. He chose not to.
- Can't gloat much with Bush...
However, all three former presidents and their spouses, except Michelle Obama, will attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony.

Couldn't pass up the more prestigious event that's going to be watched by the entire world.

In comparison, passing up a work lunch with a bunch of congresspeople that probably won't even be televized doesn't sound like taking much of a stand against the fascist takeover..
- It was going to be McDonalds anyway.
- They still think it's Presidential to follow pomp and circumstance to preserve the appearance of national normalcy as the nation burns on multiple fronts.
  
  Just as in their Presidencies, they want to be known for promoting social quiet, despite their Presidencies all defending and furthering economic violence in the name of all their wealthy friends who "donated to" their respective parties over the years.
  
  "Look, we're going to keep funneling all the wealth to these already obscenely wealthy people, could you please QUIETLY die over there?"
- Im a little worried about michelle. She was not at carters funeral unless I missed it. Granted they were seated next to trump.
  
  Maybe she just found out that she doesn't really have to put up with all that kind of bullshit anymore? 🤷
The inaugural lunch, a tradition since 1897, typically includes speeches and toasts for the new administration.

Anyone have a sense of how rare it is for living ex presidents to dodge it? Feels pretty rare but I don't know.

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.

I kinda feel like she missed an opportunity there.
I guess Obama saw people's reaction to him joking around with him like old pals during Carter's funeral.
- It's a big club and you aren't in it
- Did you expect Obama (of all people) to be unkind at another man's (let alone a former president's) funeral?
  
  wish, not expect. what i expected him to do was order another drone strike on brown children. you know for old times' sake
Trump didn't attend Biden's inauguration, why should Biden feel he has to attend Trump's? (I know this is about the lunch, but still). Obama and the Clintons should take a pass too. They think they have to go to somehow prove something like they're not petty or that the country isn't really falling apart or whatever, but all they're proving is that they're A-OK with the rise of fascism in the US. God I wish they'd show some spine just this once.
- Liberals have always chosen fascism over any kind of leftism. They would rather a Nazi than a socialist
That'll show him!
Our base is devastated to learn that we see the people stripping them of rights and money as good friends and colleagues, what do we do?

Release a story where two of the past Democrat Presidents won't attend a celebratory lunch with the guy who we're handing unimaginable power to!
Regan is also not attending
- I guess Carter isn't either
  
  Heard Nixon wouldn't show either
No tummy taps for Trump
I hope they survive, such bravery
- Sarcasm?
  
  The ruling class will face no harm, they're all in the same club. They might tut tut and waggle their fingers but then they'll retire to their gated communities.
  
  Maybe more facetious than sarcastic implying they may perish skipping a lunch, but I don't think /f is a common shorthand yet like /s
I guess this is their idea of fighting fascism? Thanks dickheads.
- They were never in the business of fighting fascism. Just look at the dictatorships they supported.
  
  I don't disagree, it's just tedious to always be making that point. I need variety
About aa meaningful as Insider reporting "Watch Bush not talk to Trump at Carter's funeral"
That’ll show him!
The fight against fascism begins.
- Not with guns, or knives, or even pens, but with neglected big macs drying out on a chafing dish.
Trump could think this is a tragedy which calls for flying flags at half-staff
- Half-mast*
  
  /s
I do wonder if there's something up with Michelle Obama. The inaugural stuff is one thing, but I find it odd that she skipped Jimmy Carter's inauguration.
- I bet she simply didn’t want to be anywhere near trump at Carter’s funeral. Same here.
They don't like mcdonalds? /s
Oh no not the Inaugural Lunch!
What more endorsement does he need than the one gotten from the elections results?
dEcOrUm
Wow what a brave resistances to le evil drumpf, thank you Mr presidents!!! Sounds of deep throating ex presidential weiners

81 comments