Michelle Obama ‘sends her thoughts and prayers’ while absent from Carter’s funeral

(The Hill) – Michelle Obama wasn’t among the many mourners attending former President Carter’s funeral service in Washington, however she says she’s considering of and praying for “everybody who cherished and discovered” from the late commander in chief.

The previous first woman was notably not among the many former first members of the family gathered on the funeral service at Washington Nationwide Cathedral on Thursday. Carter, the thirty ninth president, died final month at age 100. 

“Former First Woman Michelle Obama just isn’t in attendance at President Carter’s Nationwide Funeral Service,” a spokesperson confirmed in a Thursday assertion to The Hill.

“Mrs. Obama sends her ideas and prayers to the Carter household, and everybody who cherished and discovered from the exceptional former President,” the assertion mentioned. 

CNN reported Thursday that the 60-year-old Obama had a “scheduling battle” and was nonetheless on an prolonged trip in Hawaii. Her spokesperson didn’t reply to requests for remark in regards to the report that she was within the Aloha State.

The funeral service for Carter introduced collectively all 5 dwelling American presidents — together with some bitter political rivals — with President-elect Trump and President Biden becoming a member of former Presidents Obama, Clinton and George W. Bush.

Except for Michelle Obama, all the opposite present and former first women have been additionally in attendance.

Michelle Obama was a fierce critic of Trump on the marketing campaign path for Vice President Harris throughout final yr’s White Home race, calling him grossly incompetent and affected by “psychological decline.”

At an October rally in Atlanta, Trump — who over time has harshly attacked previous presidents on either side of the aisle — denounced former President Obama’s partner, saying, “You recognize who’s nasty to me? Michelle Obama.”

At Carter’s funeral service, Trump and Barack Obama have been eyed chatting and seemed to be exchanging pleasantries as they sat subsequent to at least one one other. 

Alex Gangitano contributed.