Donald Trump and Barack Obama had much to discuss at Jimmy Carter’s funeral today, with details from one of their private exchanges now coming to light.
The two former foes were seated together at the service in Washington DC on Thursday, where they conversed for several minutes and were even spotted sharing a chuckle.
Lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman has now divulged elements of their conversation, including a remark seemingly related to a political or personal vow that Trump has withdrawn from, the Mirror reports.
In a moment caught on camera, Trump is overheard telling Obama: “I’ve pulled out of that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that? “
The specifics of what Mr Trump referred to remains unclear. At another point, Trump is seen saying: “I can’t talk, we have to find a quiet place, sometimes this is a matter of importance and we need to do this outside so that we can deal with it, certainly, today,” to which Obama nods in agreement.
They projected a “relaxed” demeanour in each other’s company during the service, leading a body language expert to suggest they might be exchanging “gossip”.
Judi James, a body language specialist, told the Mirror that their interaction implies they may share certain “values”, despite their significant political differences.
She noted: “The rather curt ‘hi’ that passed between Obama and Trump as Obama arrived suggested the body language between the two men might be as frosty as that of the people in the row in front of them, but then Obama unbuttoned his jacket and took his seat and suddenly we saw rituals of what looked like an amicable, relaxed friendship as the two Presidents chatted.
“Trump’s face formed the kind of grin when you’re expecting some empathetic laughter or fun and their very long, animated conversations did produce some smiles and laughter.
“At one point Obama raised the side of his order of service to give the impression that they might even have been gossiping and in need of a truncated screen. The impression was of a cordial relationship with some shared values although maybe not political ones.”
During the service, outgoing President Joe Biden delivered a heartfelt eulogy for Jimmy Carter, repeatedly praising his “character” as his defining trait. Mr Biden reflected on how the former president instilled in him the belief that “everyone should be treated with dignity and respect”.
He emphasised the duty to offer “no safe harbour” to hatred, and highlighted the necessity of opposing “abuse in power”.
Before the service commenced, Donald Trump exchanged a handshake with Mike Pence, marking a rare moment between the ex-president and his former deputy since their rift over Pence’s refusal to assist in overturning Trump’s election loss to Biden four years prior.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who was defeated by Trump in the November election, arrived later and did not appear to engage with him. Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29 at the grand age of 100, having outlived two individuals who penned eulogies for him: his vice president Walter Mondale and predecessor in the White House, Gerald Ford.
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