'Oldest' Former US President Carter Absent from Biden's Inauguration... First Time in 34 Years

As if aware of COVID-19... "Wishing everything goes well"

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (left in the photo) and his wife Rosalynn Carter [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will not attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden, AP News reported on the 5th (local time). At 97 years old this year, it is the first time in 34 years that Carter has not attended a presidential inauguration.

According to the report, the Carter Center confirmed that former President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (93) will not attend the presidential inauguration scheduled for the 20th of this month. The Carter Center is an organization established in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1982 by former President Carter and his wife after his retirement.

The Carter Center did not explain the reason for their absence, but it appears to be due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. Former President Carter is the longest-living former U.S. president as of March last year. AP reported that he has mostly spent time at his home in Georgia since the spread of COVID-19.

Since Carter attended every presidential inauguration from his own in 1977 until now, this will be the first time in 34 years that he will miss an inauguration. He was also the first former president to announce plans to attend Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017.

The Carter Center stated that the Carters hope for the success of the new administration and wish all the best to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, expressing their expectation for a successful administration.

Meanwhile, former President George Bush and his wife Laura Bush have announced that they will attend the inauguration. Bush previously attended President Trump's inauguration. Considering the COVID-19 situation, Biden's inauguration will be scaled down and mostly replaced by online events.