Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration is sure to be a star-studded event, with attendees also including past political dignitaries and even former presidents.
But will that include ailing former president Jimmy Carter?
According to his reps, Carter wants to attend, but…
Because of ongoing health issues, Carter will not be in attendance despite wanted to be there, a spokesperson for the Carter Center told USA TODAY.
Carter is the only living ex-president to signal his willingness to be there for the second inauguration ceremony in the country’s history where a former president is returning to the White House.
Many Democrats told USA TODAY they are still trying to make decisions on whether to decline or show up for the event.
The offices of former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama responded to say they had no scheduling announcements to share yet on Trump’s inauguration, while representatives for former President Bill Clinton did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nearly all of Trump’s predecessors were in attendance when Trump took his first oath of office in January of 2017, including Carter.
Only George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018, did not attend Trump inaugural when he was 92-years-old due to his age and poor health.
Carter and his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, missed their first inauguration four years ago, when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in. Rosalynn Carter died November 2023 at the age of 96.
The 100-year-old has been in hospice care for nearly two years. In 2015, he was diagnosed with cancer that spread to his brain.