Smiles, handshakes and stone-faced stares: How presidents and rivals interacted at Jimmy Carter's funeral

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Smiles, handshakes and stone-faced stares: How presidents and rivals interacted at Jimmy Carter's funeral
Published: Jan, 09 2025 17:15

All five of America's living presidents attended Jimmy Carter's funeral today – and the seating plan forced numerous rivals to sit close together at the front of the cathedral. Each president, apart from Barack Obama, was accompanied by his wife and the two rows were completed by vice president Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff.

The last time the former and current presidents publicly gathered together was in 2018. All eyes were on the pews of the Washington National Cathedral as they filed in, and while some greeted each other warmly - and even appeared to share a laugh - the same can't be said for everyone.

Here's a who's who of the front rows - including who acknowledged each other, and who decided against interactions... 1 - Joe Biden. President Joe Biden delivered a eulogy at Mr Carter's funeral, in one of his final public speaking appearances before leaving office.

"To young people, to anyone in search of meaning and purpose, study the power of Jimmy Carter's example," Mr Biden said of Mr Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981. "Character, faith, love - a true patriot.". As the serving president, Mr Biden sat in the front row at the Cathedral - putting a perhaps welcome distance between himself and Mr Trump.

2 - Jill Biden. First Lady Jill Biden took her place between her husband and his vice president, Kamala Harris. The Bidens were the last of the dignitaries to enter the cathedral and did so hand-in-hand. The president's recently pardoned son, Hunter, was also among the mourners, though he did not sit near his father.

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