Obama and Trump chat at Carter’s funeral. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral has brought together all five living presidents and placed longtime political foes Barack Obama and Donald Trump directly next to each other.
Setting the scene: Cameras captured Obama and Trump chatting pleasantly and sharing a laugh, and Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence shaking hands — both fairly remarkable scenes considering their histories.
Flashback: Trump spread the “birtherism” lie that Obama was not born in the United States, while Obama repeatedly mocked the idea that Trump would ever be elected president and condemned him as a threat to American democracy after he was, including during the most recent election cycle.
- Meanwhile, Pence and Trump had not appeared together since Jan. 6, when crowds whipped up by the former president threatened Pence’s life for certifying Biden’s election win. Karen Pence, the former second lady, remained seated and did not shake Trump’s hand.
Trump and Pence shake hands as Al Gore and Melania Trump look on. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Zoom out: Trump and Obama were seated next to George and Laura Bush, a few seats down from Bill and Hillary Clinton, and directly behind Vice President Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff.
- President Biden is also in attendance and will deliver a eulogy for Carter.
