Is Michelle Obama trying to send a message to her husband?

Rumors of a marital rift are on the rise as the former first lady has disappeared from the public stage, leaving her husband to attend major events on his own.

Michelle was nowhere in sight at Jimmy Carter's state funeral this month, where her husband Barack was seen having a cordial chat with rival Donald Trump.

Michelle's absences

In an apparent snub of the president-elect, the Obamas announced that Michelle will not attend Trump's inauguration on Monday. President Obama will be there, along with other living presidents and their wives.

"Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration," an announcement said.

Obama's public absences have the internet talking, with observers seeing signs of trouble looming.

"Sounds like an Obama divorce is on the horizon, we've all seen it, they stop attending functions together," one X user wrote.

Tradition not needed

While First Ladies are expected to accompany their spouses to major events like inaugurations, Michelle has never been one to follow tradition.

An outspoken feminist, the First Lady has made no secret of her individualistic outlook, advising her two daughters to focus on their careers and not "rush" into marriage.

Obama has also been open about some of the difficulties she has experienced in her own marriage to an ambitious politician.

In her documentary Becoming, the trained lawyer admitted that she struggled with placing her career on the back burner to be a wife and mother.

"Something had to give and it was my aspirations and dreams. I made that concession, not because he said, 'You have to quit your job.' It felt like, 'I can't do all of this. So I have to tone down my aspirations. I have to dial it back,'" she adds.

Sending a message

While Michelle's boycott of Trump's inauguration is clearly aimed at the new president, it also puts her husband in an awkward position.

Barack clearly wants to uphold tradition, whereas Michelle is following her own feelings, and sending a very different message to the public.

One thing that is not up for debate: Michelle has a very strong sense of self, and that often leads to tension in marriages.

Whether there is anything to back up rumors of a divorce remains to be seen.