Fox News
Bob Ritchie, a.k.a. Kid Rock, sent a stern message to former first lady Michelle Obama for her decision to skip his pal Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
On the Fox News show Jesse Watters Primetime, the MAGA music star, who will be performing at the president-elect’s inauguration, appeared stunned that the former first lady has opted out of attending. A source close to Obama told People, that she is “not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake.”
Obama campaigned against Trump during his presidential campaigns in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
“I was actually listening to your show a little bit before I got in the truck here and I heard Michelle Obama’s not attending,” Kid Rock said Thursday night.
The pro-Donald Trump musician said attending an inauguration is a matter of respect for the presidency, revealing that he performed at her husband’s inauguration although he didn’t cast a vote for him.
“I would kindly remind her that years back when [Barack] Obama was first elected, I did not vote for him, but they asked me to play the inauguration. And I played it and I went, had a good time. I went for out of respect to the presidency,” Kid Rock said. “ So I would kindly remind Miss Michelle about that.”
Kid Rock told host Jesse Watters he thought Michelle Obama seems “a little angry,” and restrained himself from launching a more scathing attack, adding: “I don’t know. Can’t say something nice…”
The exchange drew mixed reactions on social media, with many coming to Obama’s defense.
“Kindly remind Kid Rock that neither Donald Trump no Melania Trump attended Joe Biden’s inauguration,” one commented on X (formerly Twitter).
“Michelle might have a private reason, I was really shocked she didn’t attend President Carter’s funeral and now the inauguration. I would give her the benefit of the doubt, [imo],” another wrote.
Others took Rock’s side, with one X user commenting: “Michelle Obama has no respect for America or the presidency.”
The Daily Beast contacted the Obama Foundation for comment on Friday.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will be attending the inauguration of Trump at the Capitol. Former first lady Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also be in attendance.
No reason has been given for Michelle’s absence.
Kid Rock gushed in praise of the incoming president, telling host Watters he thinks Trump is a “terrific guy.”
“I feel like if people are finding out really what type of man that Trump is. He’s just a terrific guy,” he said. “I endorsed him when he came down the elevator, because I love the fact that he was not a politician. He was a businessman, and the business of America has sucked for so long—like we need someone in here making sensible decisions.”
