The weird and wonderful presidential interactions at the Carter funeral

Past, present and president-elect presidents, along with their wives — and current and former veeps — put on brave faces at the funeral of President Jimmy Carter Thursday. Not so much because they were in mourning, but because, Cockburn suspects, they had to interact with one another.

The solemn event made for some interesting viewing: smooshed together in the front pews of the Washington National Cathedral were all five living presidents. President Joe Biden buffered himself from his predecessor/successor, President-elect Donald Trump, with First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in between. Next came Trump and First Lady Melania.

In the second row were President Bill and First Lady (is that what we call her?) Hillary Clinton, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura, then President Barack Obama on the end, sans Michelle.

Before they all sat down so cozily together, some in the group exchanged niceties, like kids who must save face in front of their parents at church. When W. met with Obama, he patted him playfully on his stomach with the back of his hand; Barry O, in return, patted Bush’s back.

Trump shook hands with his former vice president, Mike Pence, in a show of mending fences. Fox News reports it was “their first public interaction in four years.” What happened four years ago, again?

The former colleagues’ handshake was polite, but was nothing compared to the chumminess Trump and Obama displayed. A photo showing Obama in stitches over something Trump whispered to him, and another of Trump beaming in return, delighted social media:

Obama and Trump are acting like they’re at happy hour.

pic.twitter.com/2IRJ7klPFM

— Stephanie Sidley (@StephanieSidley) January 9, 2025

Trump and Obama sitting next to each other was not on the 2025 bingo card. pic.twitter.com/Dm17q6XtSy

— The Wingman | Money and Dating (@BowtiedWingman) January 9, 2025

Even Vice President Al Gore gave Trump a warm greeting, perhaps, as a way of “kissing the ring,” as Oklahoma senator Markwayne Mullin characterized Obama’s friendliness toward Trump. Harris, meanwhile, reportedly did not acknowledge Trump, nor did Trump make an effort to greet Harris. According to Fox, “Emhoff looked straight ahead as Harris briefly looked over her shoulder and appeared to grimace when she saw Obama conversing with Trump.”

None of the families, Fox News noted, greeted the Bidens.