At the Washington National Cathedral, five former and current presidents gathered to pay their respects during Jimmy Carter’s funeral, adorned in dark suits and somber expressions. The memorial service, lasting over an hour, allowed for a moment of unity among these political rivals, overshadowing past disputes and differences that often define their interactions.
The first two to arrive, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, engaged in a cordial handshake and conversation, despite the political divides that separate them. As Trump prepares to retake the presidency in just over a week, he leaned in while listening to Obama, sharing smiles that suggested a momentary break from their usual political stances.
After the service, Trump returned to his Mar-a-Lago club where he was set to meet with Republican governors. He playfully remarked on his interaction with Obama, stating, “It did look very friendly, I must say.” He mentioned that despite having different philosophies, there was an underlying camaraderie, noting, “I got along with just about everybody.”
Notably, Obama attended the service alone, finding his seat in the second row alongside former leaders George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, both accompanied by their spouses. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were the last to arrive, taking their place just ahead of the former presidents.
As members of the exclusive presidents’ group, they maintained decorum, refraining from criticisms of each other or the current presidency. However, Trump has broken this unwritten rule on numerous occasions, offering mixed remarks about Carter while expressing discontent about flags being flown at half-staff in honor of Carter during his inauguration.
A moment of tension arose when Vice President Kamala Harris entered the congregation—after having defeated her in the previous election, Trump acknowledged her arrival but made no effort to engage. Harris did not return the gesture either. However, her husband, Doug Emhoff, did reach out to shake hands with Trump after the service.
Although the former presidents were mindful of each other throughout the service, interactions varied. Obama talked to Bush while Clinton, who arrived last, took the opportunity to chat with Bush as well. The White House confirmed that the former presidents had a private meeting prior to the service, with Trump later mentioning they all got along quite well.
Funerals often act as a rare occasion for the presidents’ club to convene. Notably, Gerald Ford’s son read a eulogy that his father had composed before his passing in 2006, allowing Ford’s presence to be felt among those in attendance.
The former presidents, who frequently engage with personal commitments and charitable projects, meet infrequently. They are well-versed in the protocols of state funerals, each having participated in planning their own. During Bush 41’s 2018 funeral, interactions among the former presidents were somewhat rigid, contrasting with the tenor observed at Carter’s service.
Additionally, Trump did not engage with Hillary Clinton, whom he defeated in the 2016 election. Sitting in the pew in front of former Vice President Mike Pence—who has been largely absent from public events with Trump since the latter refused to contest the 2020 election results—Trump exchanged a handshake with Pence but little else, as Pence’s wife appeared to avoid further contact with the president-elect.
During his presidency, Trump mostly kept his distance from other former leaders and notably did not seek their guidance, which has fostered a sense of exclusion within this unique circle. Conversely, past presidents like Bill Clinton and Harry S. Truman often sought advice from their predecessors to navigate their duties.
Following the mission that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011, Obama reached out to Bush, honoring a tradition of communication among those who have held the nation’s highest office, highlighting the isolation that often accompanies the presidency. Author Kate Andersen Brower noted that President Carter often occupied a position as an outsider within this group, choosing to avoid certain events that included his political rival, Ronald Reagan.
Despite their differing political beliefs and approaches, Carter and Trump may share a unique bond in their candidness about their own views, illustrating the complexities that intertwine the legacy and experience of U.S. presidents.
