Jon Stewart applauds Michelle Obama for skipping Trump inauguration

Jon Stewart is defending former first lady Michelle Obama for displaying a "consistent ethical stance" by skipping President Trump's inauguration.

"Former President Obama was there, George Bush seemed kind of there," Stewart said on Monday's "The Daily Show," name-checking former commanders in chief and critics of Trump who attended the 47th president's inauguration at the Capitol.

"Even Mike Pence showed up — I guess to let the crowd finish the job," the Comedy Central host joked of Trump's former vice president. During the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, some rioters were heard chanting, “Hang Mike Pence,” for his role in certifying former President Biden’s 2020 election win.

Those attending Monday's inauguration, Stewart said, were "all those people who warned Americans to shun this wannabe fascist dictator called Trump."

"Only Michelle Obama seemed to have the consistent ethical stance of saying, 'When they go low, I stay the f‑‑‑ home,'" Stewart cracked to laughs from the audience.

"I don't care, I'm staying home," Stewart continued, mimicking the former first lady.

Obama did not join her husband at the inaugural ceremony — a move that was announced a week earlier by her representatives.

She has been a vocal critic of Trump, saying the 47th president "did everything in his power to try to make people fear" her and her husband.

Trump's "limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black,” Obama said last year.

Obama made headlines in 2016 when she urged attendees at that year's Democratic National Convention to follow her spouse's example and take the high road, with her now-famous motto, "When they go low, we go high."

She later said in 2018 that it wasn't always easy to follow the mantra, acknowledging there were times she wished former President Obama's response to political rivals would be to "just curse them out."

Topics

Jon Stewart on tech moguls at Trump inauguration: 'Are we just open-source Illuminati now?'

Comedian Jon Stewart on Monday criticized the appearance of tech moguls at President Trump’s inauguration. “Yes, taking the place of seats normally reserved for Democratic or Republican governors, ...
The Hill - 11h
Rep. Yassamin Ansari on skipping Trump inauguration

Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Arizona) opted not to attend the inauguration ceremonies for President Trump on Monday. Ansari joined CBS News to discuss her decision and Mr. Trump's second term.
CBS News - 12h
Here's who skipped Trump's inauguration

President Trump was sworn into office for a second time on Monday before an audience in the Capitol that included his predecessor, former President Biden, as well as former Presidents Obama, ...
The Hill - 1d
Ocasio-Cortez skipping Trump inauguration: 'I don't celebrate rapists'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said in a Sunday post on TikTok that she is skipping President-elect Trump’s inauguration. “All these journalists are like, ‘Congresswoman, are you going to ...
The Hill - 1d
Nancy Pelosi Is Skipping Trump’s Inauguration

The former speaker clashed with Donald Trump throughout his first term, and the acrimony between the two persisted after he left office.
The New York Times - 5d
12:30 Report — Pelosi joins Michelle Obama in skipping Trump ceremony

Plus: DeSantis names Rubio successor {beacon} 12:30 REPORT It’s Thursday. Do you want the good news or the bad news about Inauguration Day? The good news is that it’ll be sunny! 🌞 The bad news is ...
The Hill - 5d
Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won't attend Trump's inaugural lunch

Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will not attend President-elect Donald Trump's traditional inaugural lunch.
NBC News - 6d
Michelle Obama won't attend Trump's inauguration

Former first lady Michelle Obama will not be attending President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next week.
NBC News - Jan. 14
Jon Stewart: Harris overseeing Trump win certification 'like attending your own funeral'

Jon Stewart says Vice President Harris overseeing President-elect Trump's electoral victory as a tally of states was read on the House floor Monday had a funereal feeling to it. Harris ...
The Hill - Jan. 7