Former President Barack Obama arrived at Donald Trump's inauguration without his wife by his side – amid rumors they may be divorcing.
The 44th president of the United States wore a black suit and striped tie, and he smiled and waved to reporters as he walked into the Capitol.
He made his own way into the Rotunda – where Trump's inauguration was moved due to bitterly cold weather and snow showers.
Obama did not attend the pre-inauguration prayer services at St. John's Episcopal Church and will not attend Trump's inaugural luncheon.
Trump began his second inauguration day surrounded by tech titans and media moguls.
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Apple CEO Tim Cook were all present at St. John's Church in the capital on Monday morning.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was also seen sitting behind the three, while TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was also seen after the service. Other guests spotted at the Church of the Presidents included podcaster Joe Rogan and former Fox News media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Notably absent is former first lady Michelle Obama, who announced she would not attend Trump's inauguration, sparking rumors the couple would split.
Former President Barack Obama arrived at Donald Trump's inauguration without his wife by his side
He made his own way into the Rotunda – where Trump's inauguration was moved due to bitter cold weather and snow showers
The former president was seen enjoying a meal at a Washington, DC hotspot this weekend without Michelle.
He seemed very happy as he attended a dinner at Osteria Mozza on Saturday night with a small group of Washington insiders, including President Joe Biden's chief of staff, Jeff Zients, sources told Page Six.
In recent weeks she has… skipped former President Jimmy Carter's memorial service due to a reported 'scheduling conflict'.
“She has always been very conscious about where and how she appears,” an insider told Page Six.
'She reluctantly showed up for the election. They were united, but she doesn't need to unite [Trump]. Her absence speaks volumes.”
Sources close to the 61-year-old told Page Six that after she and her husband Barack left the White House in 2017, she “checked out” of DC politics.
Still, Michelle's absence has led to “nonstop talk about Michelle being fed up with the political circus and pretending everything is fine with Barack all the time,” an insider said.
Barack and the president-elect set the internet alight when the two were spotted together chatting and laughing at Jimmy Carter's memorial service, which she did not attend.
The 44th President of the United States wore a black suit and striped tie, smiling and waving at reporters as he walked into the Capitol
Barack Obama tried to dispel rumors that the couple's relationship was on the rocks with a lavish tribute to his wife for her birthday
“I'm told she was furious when she saw her husband arguing with Trump at Carter's funeral,” the source added.
A source who worked with the couple also admitted, “They're not pretending to be in a Camelot relationship. They're not trying to show that they're a magical couple.'
Some have even speculated that the couple is breaking up.
But Obama tried to quash those rumors by posting a powerful tribute to his wife, whom he described as the “love of his life.”
“Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,” he wrote, alongside a photo of them holding hands as they enjoyed dinner.
'You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor and grace – and you look good doing it. I am so happy to experience life's adventures with you. Love you.'
The couple have previously spoken candidly about their martial struggles, with Michelle previously describing the “resentment” she had at having to pause her career to become a mother while Barack's continued to flourish.
Tensions only increased during their time in the White House – thanks to the enormous “pressure” that came with “the need to do everything right and be 'on' at all times”, and thanks to Barack's focus on his work instead of his family.
But even at their worst, Barack explained to The Breakfast Club that they never let their arguments get too ugly — and that they always “respected” each other.
And he made it clear that even if they argued, he never considered divorce.
The former first lady has been less publicly involved since the death of her mother, Marian Robinson, in May.
When she spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, she noted that her grief almost kept her from taking the stage.
“I still feel her loss so deeply — I wasn't even sure I would be strong enough to stand before you tonight,” she told the huge crowd at Chicago's United Center.
In general, former presidents and first ladies have attended inaugurations — even for the president of the other party — unless they were suffering from health problems.
Trump blew up that modern precedent four years ago by refusing to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, President Joe Biden.
The last time she was in the same room as Trump was in 2018 during former President HW Bush's funeral.
