Kid Rock criticized Michelle Obama for her decision to skip President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday. The musician, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, expressed his views during an appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime. “She seems a little angry,” the 54-year-old said, referencing the former first lady’s absence from the event.
During the interview, Kid Rock recalled his participation in an inaugural ball event for former President Barack Obama, despite not voting for him. “I would kindly remind Michelle about that,” he said, emphasizing his choice to attend and perform at the event out of respect for the office.
Michelle Obama announced earlier this week that she would not be attending Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. While she did not provide an official explanation for her decision, speculation has suggested her strong disapproval of Trump may be the reason. A source close to her told People that Michelle’s feelings about Trump are no secret, adding, “She’s not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake.”
Kid Rock, known for his performances at political events, shared that he played at the Youth Inaugural Ball when Barack Obama was first elected in 2009. He performed alongside Kanye West and Fall Out Boy, despite not being a supporter of Obama at the time. Reflecting on that experience, he noted that attending the event demonstrated his respect for the presidency, regardless of political affiliation.
Michelle Obama’s absence from Trump’s upcoming inauguration follows other notable public choices. Recently, she skipped former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, citing a “scheduling conflict,” which turned out to be a vacation in Hawaii. She has also kept a relatively low profile since her and Barack Obama’s speeches at the Democratic National Convention in August, where she sharply criticized Trump.
Kid Rock has maintained a close connection to Trump, having been photographed with him alongside UFC president Dana White and Elon Musk at a UFC event in November. He has been a consistent supporter of Trump’s presidency and policies, often making public statements or appearances to back the former president.
Despite being invited, Kid Rock will not perform at Trump’s inauguration this time. Instead, he plans to contribute to the day’s events with something “pretty special” during the celebrations. He is set to perform at a “Make America Great Again Rally” at the Capital One Arena as part of the inauguration finale.
Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, along with their spouses Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, are expected to attend Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. Current President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are also anticipated to be present. Michelle Obama’s choice not to attend stands out, as she was present at Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.