Politics

Obama To Skip Nancy Reagan’s Funeral, Attend Entertainment Festival Instead

Alex Pfeiffer White House Correspondent
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President Barack Obama will not attend Nancy Reagan’s funeral this Friday, and will instead be in Austin, Texas for the annual South by Southwest festival.

His wife, Michelle, will be present at the funeral.

Following the former first lady’s death Monday, Obama said, “As somebody who is lucky enough to have an extraordinary partner in my life as well, I know how much she meant not just to President Reagan but to the country as a whole.”

The South by Southwest festival includes film, music, and technology conferences. On Friday, there will be film festival screenings, including for the new Peewee Herman movie, and SXSW comedy.

Obama will deliver a keynote address, urging “the audience to apply their ideas and talents in working with technology for future world issues.”