Trump Joins Other Presidents at Carter Funeral Amid Historical Rivalries

President-elect Donald Trump joined the other four living American presidents on Thursday at the funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter, held at the Washington National Cathedral.

The rare gathering placed Trump alongside Democratic predecessors who have openly criticized him as a threat to democracy, highlighting a day of both unity and underlying tensions.

Trump, often seen as an outsider among living presidents, has skipped similar events in the past. Notably, he did not attend services for civil rights leader John Lewis in 2020 or former first lady Barbara Bush in 2018, where other past presidents and first ladies were present.

He was also not invited to Senator John McCain’s funeral in 2018, an omission that reportedly left him aggrieved over a lack of acknowledgment for arrangements made by his administration.

Throughout his political career, Trump has consistently broken with tradition by openly criticizing presidents from both parties. He falsely claimed for years that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and accused him of spying on his 2016 campaign.

Trump has also taken sharp jabs at George W. Bush, citing the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq invasion as failures, and frequently calling his presidency “uninspiring.” Additionally, Trump’s attacks on Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign were especially pointed, including bringing women who accused Bill Clinton of misconduct to a debate.

Despite this contentious history, Trump’s relationship with Carter has been somewhat nuanced. Following Carter’s death, Trump issued a statement praising his legacy and efforts to improve the lives of Americans.

However, during a recent press conference, Trump offered a mixed assessment, criticizing Carter’s presidential decisions, such as relinquishing the Panama Canal, while acknowledging Carter’s decency as a person. Trump remarked, “I liked him as a man. I disagreed with his policy.”

At Thursday’s funeral, Trump’s interactions with the Carter family and the other presidents drew significant attention. Cameras captured the rare moment of unity, though some noted Trump’s visible discomfort during certain parts of the ceremony.

University of Tennessee professor Amber Roessner described the event as a "fragile moment of unity,” given Trump’s complicated relationships with his predecessors.

Carter’s legacy has been a recurring theme in Trump’s rhetoric. During the 2024 campaign, Trump used Carter’s presidency as a talking point to criticize President Joe Biden.

At a November rally, Trump said, “[Biden] makes Jimmy Carter look great. Carter must be thrilled because his term looks better in comparison.”

For Biden, the funeral presented an opportunity to reflect on Carter’s legacy. Speaking to USA Today, Biden described Carter as a leader who deeply cared about the average American. “Carter was a decent man,” Biden said. “He reminds me a little bit of my dad.”

As the funeral concluded, the rare gathering of past and present leaders underscored both the solemnity of the moment and the complex dynamics of presidential relationships.

For a day, the exclusive club of presidents came together to honor Carter’s life and legacy, presenting a fleeting glimpse of unity amid deep-seated divisions.