Staff ReportsVice President Kamala Harris managed to break a world record for the longest blink of disgust on Thursday at the funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter. As President-elect Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama engaged in a surprisingly jovial banter—smiling and laughing like old friends—Harris seemed to be practicing for her next role in an off-Broadway production called “How Do I Co-Exist with My Former Opponents?”
Jimmy Carter, who shuffled off this mortal coil on December 29 at the ripe age of 100, certainly left an interesting legacy. Known mainly for his sweeping policies and a fondness for peanuts, his funeral attracted a curious mix of America’s leaders, both loved and loathed. The event unfolded at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where Trump and Obama were seated side by side, likely leaving Harris wondering if she had accidentally walked into a sitcom pilot instead of a solemn tribute.
Kamala Harris gets pissy when she looks back and sees Obama pleasantly chatting with Trump at Carter’s funeralpic.twitter.com/z8tShXl8ax
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 9, 2025
Observers from the mainstream media were quick to catch this rare moment of camaraderie. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins couldn’t contain her excitement and proclaimed how extraordinary it was to witness Trump and Obama so elegantly sharing a laugh. If that’s what extraordinary has come to mean, then the bar has definitely been set low. In her world, a cordial exchange between Trump’s brash enthusiasm and Obama’s cool demeanor ranks right up there with seeing Bigfoot throw a birthday party for the Loch Ness Monster.
Meanwhile, the reflection of joy on the former presidents’ faces did not carry over to every member of the audience. Hillary Clinton, further down the row, appeared less than amused. Perhaps she was reminiscing over her days of “it takes a village,” which, one could argue, has been replaced with “it takes a funeral for some bipartisanship.” Bill Clinton, on the other hand, seated next to his wife, looked as though he was enjoying a private joke. Perhaps he was reminiscing about the times he didn’t have to run for office anymore; those must be the good old days.
In a noteworthy interaction, Trump extended his hand to shake with former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Mike Pence as he took his seat. Collins pointedly noted this was the first time Trump and Pence had crossed paths in four years, leaving one to wonder about their and everyone else’s survival amid such audacious political divides. The shadows of the political divide must have been particularly gloomy, as the last official interaction between Trump and Pence may have involved some ill-fated plans for the future—or perhaps Pence just finally found the nerve to leave the administration without an awkward goodbye.
This entire scene would seem to contrast sharply with the potential tension observed between Obama and current President Joe Biden, who had a decidedly frosty exchange at another recent funeral. Speculation was rife as to whether Biden’s lips were revealing some unsavory secrets about Harris’ campaigning skills or if he was simply lamenting how the Democratic Party has traded in fortitude for floundering. As America watches these political spectacles unfold, the question remains: is unity truly on the horizon, or is it just a mirage shimmering awkwardly between awkward handshakes and strained smiles?
