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Former President Jimmy Carter has announced that he will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump next month, a decision that is rooted in health concerns rather than politics.
At 100 years old, Carter’s health has significantly declined, and he is currently under hospice care—a status he has maintained for nearly two years. Given the physically demanding nature of attending an outdoor ceremony, especially one in the winter cold, Carter’s doctors have advised against any public appearances. A spokesperson for the Carter Center emphasized that the former president’s decision is purely due to medical reasons and not a reflection of political sentiment.
“President Carter would have attended if he were in better health,” the spokesperson explained to USA Today. “However, given his condition, it is simply too risky for him to be exposed to the elements of such a large, outdoor event.”
This will be the second presidential inauguration that Carter has missed since his own time in office. In 2021, both Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, who was also in declining health, opted out of attending President Joe Biden’s inauguration. In 2023, Rosalynn Carter passed away at the age of 96, further highlighting the frailty of the former first couple.
While Carter’s absence from Trump’s inauguration is unfortunate, it underscores the importance of putting health and safety first in the later stages of life. Despite the fact that many presidents attend these events as a matter of tradition, Carter’s decision serves as a reminder that sometimes, personal circumstances take precedence over ceremonial duties.
Representatives for President Trump have not commented on Carter’s absence, but the former president’s choice to stay home is understood to be a necessary one given his current health status.