WASHINGTON: It is the world’s most exclusive society and meetings are limited to infrequent state occasions, but the so-called American Presidents Club was in session Thursday to see off departed comrade Jimmy Carter.
The five living men who have occupied the White House – Joe Biden and his predecessors Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump – came together at Washington’s National Cathedral for their first encounter since the 2018 funeral of another ex-president, George HW Bush. The political establishment turned out in force for Thursday’s ceremony, with former vice-presidents Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle chatting amiably as the elite leaders group was seated nearby.
It might have been an awkward affair, as Trump has denigrated most of the group in disputes of varying degrees of seriousness – and found himself sitting next to longtime sparring partner Obama. Trump launched his political career by pushing racist and false “birther” conspiracy theory that his Democratic predecessor – the only black president – was lying about being a natural-born American. But the pair appeared able to put differences on hold as they were seen exchanging cordial small talk, with Obama smiling and laughing.
It was also the first time since the election that Trump had been in the same room as his opponent Kamala Harris – whom he repeatedly accused of being mentally ill – and his first time in four years in close proximity to his estranged vice-president Pence. Pence refused to endorse his former boss in the 2024 election after a mob that Trump sent marching on the Capitol to halt the certification of the 2020 polls stormed the building chanting, “Hang Mike Pence!”
Biden, who gave the eulogy, sat with first lady Jill Biden beside vice-president Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton – whom Trump defeated in 2016 to claim his first term – took their places next to Bush and his wife Laura.
Carter, who died on Dec 29, be buried in Georgia next to his wife, Rosalynn.
