President-elect Donald Trump shook hands with former Vice President Mike Pence and spoke with former President Barack Obama at the funeral of late President Jimmy Carter on Thursday.
Five living US presidents attended Carter’s service at Washington National Cathedral. Carter, the nation’s 39th president, died in late December at the age of 100.
Trump was the first of the presidents to arrive and sat in the second row, along with his wife Melania Trump.
President-elect Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk past Canadian Prime Minister Justine Trudeau to arrive at the funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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As he took his seat, Pence stood and the two men shook hands. It was a remarkable exchange, as they have not been in public contact in four years, after Pence broke with Trump after he refused demands to unilaterally throw out the results of the 2020 election.
Pence later launched his campaign for the Republican nomination, although he dropped out before primary voting began. Pence also refused to endorse Trump for president.
President-elect Donald Trump greets former Vice President Mike Pence as he arrives with Melania Trump during the funeral of former US President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington.
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Trump was sitting next to Obama in the church. Before the program started, they were seen talking and smiling at each other in a long conversation. Former first lady Michelle Obama did not attend.
Former President Barack Obama speaks with President-elect Donald Trump before the funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Also in the second row were former Presidents George W. Bush and Laura Bush, as well as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton.
After everyone was seated, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Vice President Doug Emhoff arrived and took their seats in the front row.
Harris, who faced Trump in the 2024 election and lost, did not greet Trump, but looked back at one point to see Obama and Trump chatting with each other.
Former President Barack Obama, President-elect Donald Trump as Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff as second in command speak during state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter in Washington, Jan. 9, 2025.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Harris and Emhoff were joined on the front row by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Biden will praise Carter.
Other notable figures seen at Carter’s funeral included former Vice President Al Gore, Biden’s son Hunter Biden, and former Vice President Dan Quayle.
President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamla Harris, Second Mr. Doug Emhoff, Former President Bill Clinton, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Former President George W. Bush, his wife Laura Bush, Former President Barack Obama, President- Donald Trump President-elect and his wife Melania Trump attend the funeral service for former US President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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