The United States incoming President Donald Trump will have the honour of having former presidents and their spouses attend his inauguration on January 20th.
With this development, Hillary Clinton who was Trump’s bitter rival in the last presidential election will be present to witness the ushering of a new administration and see Trump assumes the office she long sought.
The Clintons announced their decision to attend the ceremony on 20 January shortly after former president George W Bush’s office said on Tuesday he would attend along with former first lady Laura Bush.
The Bushes are “pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power – a hallmark of American democracy – and swearing-in of President Trump and Vice-President Pence,” Bush’s office said in a statement.
It is traditional for former presidents and their spouses to attend the inauguration. But the decision to attend was fraught for the Clintons, given Hillary Clinton’s bitter campaign against Trump. The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee has largely avoided public appearances since Trump defeated her in November.
Bush, too, has had a difficult relationship with Trump. His brother Jeb ran against Trump in the GOP primaries. George and Laura Bush let it be known they voted for “none of the above” for president rather than cast a ballot for Trump, but the ex-president did call to congratulate Trump after his victory.
Former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, earlier said they planned to attend Trump’s inauguration.
Former president George H W Bush, 92, and his wife, Barbara, do not plan to attend the inauguration due to the former president’s age and health, his office said.