Trump Pays ‘Highest Respect’ To Late President Jimmy Carter
President-elect Donald Trump reflected on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100.
“I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter. 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 remarked.
Acknowledging Carter’s contributions, he continued, “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.”
He added, “Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”
In a separate Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “President Jimmy Carter is dead at 100 years of age. While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for. He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office. Warmest condolences from Melania and I to his wonderful family!”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden took the opportunity to reflect on Carter’s legacy while making veiled criticisms of his political rival, according to a report by Fox News.
Speaking emotionally during his remarks, Biden described the late president as “a dear friend” and praised their more than 50 years of friendship. Carter, who passed away in Plains, Georgia, had been in hospice care for nearly two years.
Biden emphasized Carter’s life as an example “of what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose, a life of principle, faith and humility.”
“Some look at Jimmy Carter and see a man of a bygone era with honesty and character. Faith and humility mattered, but I don’t believe it’s a bygone era,” Biden said. “We’d all do well to try to be more like Jimmy Carter.”
When asked by a reporter what lesson Trump might take from Carter’s legacy, Biden responded with one word: “Decency.”
Expounding on the comment, Biden said, “Decency, decency, decency. … Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking by someone who needed something and just keep walking? Can you imagine Jimmy Carter referring to someone by the way they look or the way they talk?”
Biden also shared a personal anecdote, recalling that Carter had sought his support during the 1976 presidential campaign.
“He grabbed me by the arm and said, ‘I need you to help with my campaign,’” Biden recounted. “I said, ‘I’ve only been around a couple of years, Mr. Governor.’ He said, ‘No, it’ll make a difference.’”
Reflecting on his endorsement, Biden added, “When I endorsed him for president, I told him why [I] was endorsing him and that it was not only his policies but his character, his decency, the honor he communicated to everyone.”
Carter’s political rise included a narrow victory over President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 election. Ford had assumed the presidency in 1974 following the resignation of Richard Nixon amid the Watergate scandal.
Ford, initially the House minority leader, had been appointed vice president under the 25th Amendment after Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned.