When former President Barack Obama was asked if he and George W. Bush would behave during President Donald Trump’s inauguration, his response was quick and full of wit. As the two made their way to the Capitol Rotunda, Obama joked, “Nope.”
The lighthearted exchange, captured by The Washington Post, perfectly captured Obama’s sense of humor. However, Obama wasn’t the only one with strong feelings about the inauguration. His wife, Michelle Obama, decided to skip the event. A source close to her shared with People that Michelle didn’t want to pretend to be happy for the sake of protocol. She’s known for being honest with her emotions, and she wasn’t going to put on a smile for the occasion.
While Michelle stayed home, Barack attended solo, joined by former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Each former president had their respective companions—Bush with Laura, and Clinton with Hillary. Obama and Bush, as usual, kept up their friendly banter, with Bush playfully tapping Obama’s belly as they took their seats.
When asked if he behaved during the inauguration, Obama responded with a grin, “Just barely.”
As the inauguration continued, Trump laid out ambitious plans for his presidency, including more than 200 executive orders on issues like border security, energy, and even renaming the Gulf of Mexico. He also made bold statements about gender policy and military re-enlistments, with promises to plant a U.S. flag on Mars.
He ended his speech with a rousing declaration: “We will not be conquered, we will not be intimidated, we will not be broken, and we will not fail. We will stand bravely, we’ll live proudly, we’ll dream boldly. Nothing will stand in our way, because we are Americans. The future is ours — our Golden Age has just begun.”
The momentous occasion wasn’t just about politics; it was about the personalities, the humor, and the bold statements that made it unforgettable.
