THE TELEGRAPH
In August, Barack and Michelle Obama appeared together on stage at the Democratic National Convention, launching their biggest intervention against Donald Trump during the presidential race.
The couple lapped up applause from delegates as they doled out personal attacks on the Republican nominee, who Mrs Obama accused of “ugly, misogynistic, racist lies”.
Five months – and one election loss – later, the speech also marks the last time Mr and Mrs Obama have made a public appearance together.
After skipping a state funeral for Jimmy Carter in Washington last week, Mrs Obama has confirmed that she will not attend the presidential inauguration on Monday, leaving her husband to face the fanfare alone again.
A spokesman gave no reason for her absence, after explaining that she was unable to appear for Carter’s funeral because of a scheduling conflict. It has since emerged that Mrs Obama was on holiday in Hawaii without her husband.
Her withdrawal from political life has been interpreted by some as an attempt to avoid coming face-to-face with Mr Trump, who was pictured laughing and joking with her husband at Carter’s funeral.
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