Kid Rock Called Out Michelle Obama For Skipping Donald Trump’s Inauguration

Speaking with Fox News’ Jesse Watters on Thursday, the rock musician tore into the former first lady and implied her absence was disrespectful of Trump. 

“I would kindly remind her that years back when [President Barack] Obama was first elected, I did not vote for him, but they asked me to play the inauguration,” he said. “And I played it and I went, had a good time. I went out of respect for the presidency, so I would kindly remind Ms. Michelle about that.”

Kid Rock, who has been outspoken about his conservative views, was referring to his performance at the 2009 Youth Inaugural Ball, held after Barack Obama’s first swearing-in. Kanye West and Fall Out Boy were among the other music acts at that event.

As to why he thought Michelle Obama had opted out of Trump’s swearing-in this time around, he told Watters: “She seems a little angry. She might be — I don’t know, if you can’t say something nice…” 

Michelle Obama’s office confirmed last Tuesday that the former first lady “will not attend the upcoming inauguration” but offered no further detail. Her husband, former President Barack Obama, was present at the event, along with former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. 

Not surprisingly, the news has angered many conservatives, who seem to have forgotten that Trump and former first lady Melania Trump were both absent from President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration. 

A number of media reports have attempted to shed light on the circumstances that may have led to her decision. 

The former first lady has no interest in hiding her disdain of the president-elect and stands by her harsh criticism of him on the campaign trail, an unnamed aide told The Hill. “She campaigned the hardest against him personally, of anyone.” 

Citing a source “familiar with her thinking,” People reported that Michelle Obama’s reasoning was motivated by Trump’s well-documented history of verbal attacks on the Obama family, and people of color more broadly.

“She served in the public eye and did all the public good that she could for eight years as first lady,” the source said. “You’ll see her when she has a project or cause to promote, but she doesn’t feel the need to be a public figure anymore.”

Elsewhere in his chat with Watters, Kid Rock doubled down on his support for Trump, calling the incoming president a “terrific guy.”

“I want somebody smart who can run this country, keep us safe, run it like a business, and make America great again,” he said. 

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.