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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to skip President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, while former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama are not expected to attend the post-swearing in luncheon at the US Capitol.
Pelosi (D-Calif.), 84, an ardent foe of Trump who is recovering from hip replacement surgery, had attended the 45th president’s inauguration in 2017.
Her spokesperson confirmed the decision, first reported by ABC News, to multiple outlets and did not provide an explanation.
Pelosi joins a handful of House Democrats, including Bronx and Queens Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who will give the Jan. 20 festivities a miss
Former first lady Michelle Obama has also said she will forgo the swearing-in, though her husband is set to attend.
Trump, 78, skipped President Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, having argued unsuccessfully and without evidence that the 2020 election had been stolen from him.
Though Pelosi has been forced to rely on a walker while recovering from hip surgery following a fall at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg last month, she has been present for key ceremonial events such as the Jan. 6 certification of the 2024 election.
Pelosi and Trump frequently clashed during her time as speaker during the final two years of his first term, with the feud culminating in the Californian ripping up her copy of Trump’s State of the Union address in 2020.
Under Pelosi’s speakership, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump twice, and she declared in August that “my goal in life was that man would never step in the White House again,” without mentioning the once and future president by name.
Trump has also directed slings and arrows against Pelosi, dubbing her a “crooked person” and blasting her as “evil, sick, crazy.”
Meanwhile, Clinton, Bush and Obama will be present for the swearing-in, but will not stay for lunch, NBC News reported Thursday.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also reportedly forgo the midday meal as well.
The luncheon dates back to the 1897 inauguration of President William McKinley and is hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
The Post has reached out to reps for Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump for comment.
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