In a rare moment of camaraderie between two political figures from opposite sides of the aisle, President-elect Donald Trump recently reflected on his interaction with former President Barack Obama during the funeral service for the late President Jimmy Carter. Trump admitted that their encounter, which was captured on camera, “looked very friendly,” and even he was surprised by the warmth of the moment.
“I didn’t realize how friendly it looked,” Trump told Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy. He continued, “I saw it on your wonderful network, just before I came in, and I thought, ‘Boy, they look like two people that like each other.’ And we probably do.”
The unexpected display of goodwill came despite their tumultuous history, including Trump’s long-standing accusations that Obama had spied on his 2016 campaign and the birther controversy surrounding Obama’s birth certificate. Despite their ideological differences, the two men were seen laughing and exchanging friendly gestures as they sat together at the service, which left many observers wondering about their relationship.
Trump was quick to acknowledge that they don’t always see eye to eye. “We have little different philosophies, right?” he said, yet he emphasized that they simply “got along.” Trump further mentioned that he had enjoyed his time with everyone at the service, noting that he had met with Obama backstage beforehand. “It was a beautiful service, and we all got along very well,” Trump remarked.
Interestingly, former President George W. Bush also shared a warm moment with Obama, giving him a friendly belly tap on their way to their seats. However, Bush did not appear to engage with Trump at all, which sparked some curiosity among those observing the event. The overall mood at the service highlighted a rare moment of unity in an often polarized political landscape.