In a surprising turn of events, Melania Trump has been invited to Rosalynn Carter’s funeral despite the lingering animosity between former presidents and Trump family members.
The Bushes, Clintons, and Obamas have snubbed the Trumps whenever possible, but this invitation seems to thaw the ice a bit.
The Washington Post is reporting that former First Lady Melania Trump has been invited to the funeral of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter next Wednesday.
Carter was 96 and passed away at her home in Plains, Georgia on Sunday with her husband by her side. She had just entered hospice care.
RIP Rosalyn Carter. Class personified. And her efforts post-Carter presidency, especially on the mental health front, showed she truly was a woman of action and not words. 96. https://t.co/sT9hSVZdi0
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) November 19, 2023
The Washington Post claims that the Carter family recognizes that Melania Trump is part of a select group comprised of presidential first ladies and therefore received an invitation. All current and former first ladies have been invited to the funeral. If all attend, that would mean that Melania Trump would be seated with Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton.
Rosalynn Carter was “a gracious person” who “would treat everybody with respect,” including Melania Trump, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s son, James E. “Chip” Carter III, told the Washington Post in an interview. She made the decision to invite all of them.
“President Biden is expected to attend a memorial service for Rosalynn Carter in Atlanta on Tuesday, along with Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, the White House announced late Tuesday night, according to the Post. Country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who have continued the Carters’ humanitarian work building affordable homes with Habitat for Humanity, are likely to sing at the tribute service,” Mercury News reported.
Remembering former, first lady, #RosalynCarter she was 96 years old pic.twitter.com/tddsJ7v4LD
— Patty Jackson (@MsPattyJackson) November 19, 2023
“It would be monumental to see Melania Trump sitting near Jill Biden at a service for Rosalynn Carter. The former model notoriously broke a nearly 70-year tradition and didn’t invite Jill Biden, as the incoming first lady, to ‘a tea and tour’ of the White House after her husband defeated Trump in the 2020 election,” the news outlet noted.
There was no love lost between former President Trump and former President Carter. Carter wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in 2022 blasting Trump over the Jan. 6 riot.
“All four of us former presidents condemned their actions and affirmed the legitimacy of the 2020 election,” Carter wrote at the time.
On Saturday, according to Mercury News, Trump mocked Carter at an event in Iowa.
According to USA Today, Trump reportedly stated that “the happiest person anywhere in this country right now is Jimmy Carter because his administration looked brilliant compared to these clowns. Compared to Biden, Jimmy Carter was a brilliant, brilliant president.”
James Carter IV, Carter’s grandson, took a swipe at Trump over it, “I hate that my grandfather’s name is in Trump’s mouth at all, but I am not offended. For a Democrat, being mocked by Trump is high praise.”
I hate that my grandfather’s name is in Trump’s mouth at all, but I am not offended. For a Democrat, being mocked by Trump is high praise. https://t.co/3DkEkiyxO6
— James Carter IV (@JECarter4) November 20, 2023
Donald and Melania Trump paid tribute to Rosalynn Carter after learning of her passing.
Melania Trump wrote on X, “Rosalynn Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy not only as First Lady but as a wife and mother. We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace.”
Rosalynn Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy not only as First Lady but as a wife and mother. We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace.
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) November 19, 2023
Trump declared on Truth Social that she had “earned the admiration and gratitude” of the nation.
“From her days as a U.S. Navy spouse, to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, to her tenure as First Lady of the United States, and her later work at the Carter Center and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, she leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary accomplishment and national service,” he said.
The Trumps attended the December 2018 funeral for George H.W. Bush at Washington National Cathedral. Melania Trump attended the funeral of Barbara Bush in April 2018 by herself, sitting in the front pew with the Obamas and the Clintons.
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