Former President Barack Obama was in Washington last week for the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and even shared an unexpected laugh with President-elect Donald Trump.

Missing from the event was former First Lady Michelle Obama, who will also be absent from Trump's inauguration ceremony. 

"Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration"

That's according to Fox News, which cited a statement released by the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama regarding next week's event.

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

Fox News noted that it reached out to the Obama Foundation for comment as no explanation for Mrs. Obama's whereabouts was provided.

The network also pointed out how Mrs. Obama’s decision not to show up stands in contrast with former First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, both of whom have signaled that they will be present alongside their respective husbands.

Melania Trump is ready to move in

One figure who definitely will be in the nation's capital this coming Monday is former and soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump.

Although Mrs. Trump was initially slow to take up residence in the White House during her husband's first term in office, that apparently won't be the case this time around.

The New York Times reported that Mrs. Trump recently expressed eagerness to reclaim her role as first lady, stating, "This time I have everything."

"I have the plans. I could move in. I already packed. I already selected the, you know, furniture that needs to go in," she insisted before adding, "I just feel that people didn’t accept me, maybe. They didn’t understand me the way maybe they do now. And I didn’t have much support."

She also remarked, "When I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach. But my first priority is, you know, to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife."

Mrs. Trump says she will avoid unnecessary spending

What's more, the incoming first lady expressed a desire for fiscal restraint in her office, saying, "I don't want to hire too many people on my team, spending too much taxpayer money."

BREAKING: First Lady Melania Trump just revealed that she is cutting down the size of the First Lady's office to save money.

"I don't want to hire too many people on my team, spending too much taxpayer money. I want to make sure that every position, they are talented, they have… pic.twitter.com/ebhXUooyDR

— George (@BehizyTweets) January 13, 2025

"I want to make sure that every position, they are talented, they have merit, they know what they're doing," Mrs. Trump declared.