Michelle Obama shares statement as husband Barack attends inauguration without her amid divorce rumors

Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared a statement honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while her husband, former President Barack Obama, attended Donald Trump’s inauguration alone – amid rumors they may be getting a divorce.

The 44th President of the United States donned a black suit and striped tie, and he smiled and waved at reporters when he walked into the Capitol.

He entered the Rotunda on his own – where Trump’s inauguration was moved due to bitterly cold weather and snow flurries – and sat next to former President George W. Bush and wife Laura.

Obama did not attend pre-inauguration prayer services at St. John’s Episcopal Church and is not set to attend Trump’s Inaugural Luncheon. 

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama shared an Instagram post honoring the MLK Jr. on the national holiday marking his birthday – without acknowledging Inauguration Day. 

‘Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service always inspires me. This #MLKDay, I hope you’ll join me and @WhenWeAllVote in honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy by getting involved in your community,’ she said.

‘Whether you’re mentoring students at your local school or volunteering for a cause that matters to you, it all helps make a difference. Tell me how you’re giving back today in the comments.’

Trump started his second Inauguration Day surrounded by tech titans and media moguls.

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, Meta/Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Apple CEO Tim Cook were all present inside St. John’s church in the nation’s capital on Monday morning.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai was also spotted sitting behind the three, with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew also seen after the service. Other guests seen inside 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 be attending Trump’s inauguration, sparking rumors the couple may be splitting up.

The former president was seen enjoying a meal at a Washington, DC hotspot over the weekend without Michelle. 

He appeared very happy as he attended a dinner party 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 skipped out on former President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service over a reported ‘scheduling conflict.’ 

‘She’s always been very deliberate about where and how she shows up,’ an insider told Page Six. 

‘She showed up reluctantly for the election. They were united, but she doesn’t have to unify around [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 absences has fueled ‘nonstop chatter that Michelle is fed up with the political circus and pretending everything is OK with Barack all the time,’ one insider said.

Barack and the president-elect lit up the internet as the two were spotted chatting and laughing together at Jimmy Carter’s memorial service, which she didn’t attend.

‘I’m told she was furious at seeing her husband yukking it up with Trump at the Carter funeral,’ the source added.

A source who worked with the couple also admitted: ‘They don’t pretend that they have this Camelot relationship. They’re not trying to present that they’re this magical couple.’

Some have even speculated that the couple may be splitting up.

But Obama tried to quell those rumors by posting a gushing tribute to his wife, who he described as the ‘love of his life’.

‘Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,’ he wrote, alongside a snap that showed them holding hands while enjoying dinner.

‘You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on 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 over having to put her career on hold to be a mother while Barack’s continued to flourish.

Tensions only grew during their time in the White House – thanks to the immense ‘pressure’ that came with ‘needing to get everything right and be “on” at every moment,’ as well as Barack’s focus on his work rather than his family.

But even at their worst, Barack explained to The Breakfast Club that they never let their arguments turn too ugly – and that they always ‘respected’ one another.

And he made it clear that even when they would fight, he never considered a divorce.

The former first lady has been less publicly engaged since the death of her mother, Marian Robinson, in May.

When she spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, she remarked that her grief almost kept her from coming onstage.

‘I still feel her loss so profoundly – I wasn’t even sure I’d be steady enough to stand before you tonight,’ she told the massive crowd at Chicago’s United Center.

Generally, former presidents and first ladies have attended inaugurations – even for the president of the opposite party – unless they were suffering from health issues.

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 present in the same room as Trump was in 2018 during the funeral of former President H.W. Bush.