Former Presidents Skip Trump’s Inaugural Lunch, Attend Swearing-In

WASHINGTON — Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush will not attend President-elect Donald Trump‘s traditional inaugural lunch on January 20, 2025, though all three will participate in the swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Obama received an invitation but declined to attend, a source confirmed. Clinton also declined his invitation, while Bush’s office stated it had not received an invitation to the luncheon. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who also received an invitation, will not attend, according to a third source. A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The absence of the former presidents marks a break from tradition, as Inauguration Day is one of the few occasions when all living former presidents typically gather to welcome the incoming administration. Notably, none of the living former presidents supported Trump’s candidacy during the 2024 election. Bush did not endorse Trump, while Obama and Clinton actively campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton will attend the swearing-in ceremony, according to their respective offices. Michelle Obama’s absence from the luncheon follows her decision not to attend former President Jimmy Carter‘s memorial service last week, making her the only former first lady to miss the event.

The inaugural luncheon, a tradition dating back to 1897, is hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). It typically features speeches and toasts to the new administration. In 2017, the Clintons attended the luncheon after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. During the event, Trump acknowledged their presence, saying, “I was very honored, very, very honored when I heard that President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton was coming today.”

This year’s luncheon will proceed without the former presidents, though Trump’s team has not commented on the significance of their absence. The swearing-in ceremony, however, will include all living former presidents and first ladies, maintaining a key tradition of the peaceful transfer of power.