Related search terms, from simple ones like “Michelle Obama” and “Michelle Obama Carter funeral” to full sentences like “Why is Michelle Obama not at Carter funeral” began trending since around 10:30 am (US local time)
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Former US first lady Michelle Obama. File Image- AFP
In the US, state funerals for former presidents are among the limited events that bring the country’s most prominent leaders of past and present, along with dignitaries from all branches of the US government and representatives of foreign leaders, together in one place.
However, during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington on Thursday (January 9), former first lady Michelle Obama was not in attendance.
Of all of the living former presidents and their spouses, she was the only one who wasn’t spotted at the funeral.
Her husband and former US president Barack Obama was sitting in the front pews of Washington National Cathedral, just behind President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses.
Google searches on Michelle Obama surge
Her absence seemed to have piqued the curiosity of thousands of people in the United States.
According to Google Trends data, the search volume for “where is Michelle Obama” was well over 100,000.
Related search terms, from simple ones like “Michelle Obama” and “Michelle Obama Carter funeral” to full sentences like “Why is Michelle Obama not at Carter funeral” had been trending since around 10:30 am (US local time).
Where was Michelle Obama during Jimmy Carter’s funeral?
Michelle’s office confirmed she did not attend the funeral. However, it did not