Here's Why Michelle Obama Skipped Jimmy Carter's Funeral

by · BuzzFeed

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If you saw Jimmy Carter's funeral, you might have noticed how Michelle Obama wasn't in attendance.

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Today, all five living presidents — Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton — gathered to pay their respects to Carter, who died last week at age 100. They were all joined by first ladies, including Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Melania Trump, and Jill Biden — except Obama, who sat next to Trump (as you've likely already seen from the online reactions floating around).

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According to CNN, Michelle was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. Her advisers told CNN reporter Jeff Zeleny that Michelle is currently "still in Hawaii on an extended holiday vacation."

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"Former First Lady Michelle Obama is not in attendance at President Carter’s National Funeral Service,” Michelle's rep Crystal Carson added to People. “Mrs. Obama sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from the remarkable former president."

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Though she was unable to attend his funeral, Michelle paid tribute to Jimmy in a loving statement shared shortly after his death.

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In a joint post with Obama, they remembered Jimmy as a "remarkable man" who "taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service."

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He'll be missed.

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