President-elect Donald Trump paid tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away Sunday at the age of 100.
What To Know
“I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday shortly after news of Carter’s death broke.
“Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History,” Trump wrote. “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.
“Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time,” he added. “We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”
Why It Matters
Trump was not always positive on Carter, even in the last year of the former president’s life: In October this year, on Carter’s 100th birthday, Trump could not help but take a jab.
More of a slight against President Joe Biden, Trump hit out at his election rival as “the worst president,” declaring that Carter must be “the happiest man because Carter is considered a brilliant president by comparison,” The Associated Press reported.
Reports noted that Trump did not even make note of the momentous birthday or the fact that Carter had been in an extended hospice care. Advocacy group American Bridge 21st Century labeled the comment “cruel” and claimed that “nothing is sacred or off-limits for Trump.”
Carter returned the favor, however, saying that he was “only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris” ahead of the 2024 election. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, had passed away in November 2023.
Carter’s grandson Jason told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his grandfather was “not going to miss an election. It’s important to him. I mean, that’s the person he is.”
Biden said Sunday that he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in the nation’s capital, meaning that it will occur around the same time as Trump’s inauguration.
Details about the funeral will become clear in the coming days, but it is likely that some of the mood around the start of Trump’s second term will feel the impact of Carter’s passing.