Trump, Obama exchange pleasantries at Carter funeral after longstanding rivalry
President-elect Trump and former President Obama had an extended friendly exchange as they sat next to each other at the funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday.
Cameras captured Trump and Obama at Washington National Cathedral exchanging pleasantries, with Obama laughing at something the incoming president was saying. They appeared to chat for several minutes before the funeral services began.
When Trump entered the cathedral, he shook hands with other rivals of his, including former Vice President Mike Pence where the two men exchanged some words. Trump also shook hands with former Vice President Al Gore, who was seated next to Pence. Trump did not appear to stand up when Obama went to greet him, but after taking his seat, Trump and Obama spoke to each other in what appeared to be a friendly manner from afar.
Carter's funeral brought together all of the living American presidents, including Trump, Obama, President Biden, former President Bill Clinton and former President George W. Bush.
But the moment between Trump and Obama was particularly notable given their long-time animosity toward one another.
Trump suggested falsely for years that Obama was not really born in the U.S. and shouldn’t have been elected president, and has repeatedly accused Obama of spying on his 2016 campaign.
Obama campaigned fiercely against Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024, decrying him as a threat to democracy and a bully.
Obama also famously roasted Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner, in which Trump was in the audience. That dinner is largely seen as the event in which Trump decided to run for president after years of teasing he would do so.
Thursday marked the first time Pence and Trump have been together since the end of their administration in January 2021. Pence was seated a row behind Trump.
The two had a falling out after Pence refused Trump's pressure campaign to reject the 2020 election results on Jan. 6, 2021.