Former President Jimmy Carter will join a growing list of Democrats skipping President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next month.
However, this decision is far from political. The 100-year-old's health is too fragile to risk having him participate in the large ceremony, which is traditionally held outdoors in frigid temperatures, a Carter Center spokesperson said in a post. told the paper.
“President Carter has been in hospice care for nearly two years. As you can imagine, he is no longer seen in public,” a spokesperson told the Post.
If Mr. Carter were healthier, he would attend, a spokesman said. told USA Today.
This is the second time Carter has missed the inauguration since becoming president.
He and former first lady Rosalynn Carter did not attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Carters both entered hospice care in 2023.
Rosalyn passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96.
However, many other political leaders intentionally skipped Trump's second presidential inauguration.
At least 18 Democrats plan to boycott the ceremony, including New York Democratic Reps. Jose Serrano, Nydia Velasquez, Adriano Espaira, Jerrold Nadler and Yvette Clark.
Representatives for Mr. Trump did not respond to requests for comment from the Post.
