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WHOOPS: Clinton accidentally puts out tribute to Di Fi instead of Rosalynn Carter

November 20, 2023 | | Print Article

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter died Sunday at the age of 96 and the tributes poured in for a woman widely seen as a trailblazer, but Bill Clinton wasn’t so slick with his effort.

Turns out, the 77-year-old former president — or someone on his staff — accidentally released a tribute to Sen. Dianne Feinstein following her death in September.

“Rosalynn Carter was the embodiment of a life lived with purpose. Me and Hillary’s full statement,” read a tweet from Clinton, that included an attached statement that began: “Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend Senator Dianne Feinstein, a pioneering public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of California and all of America throughout her long career.”

The blunder was soon corrected and a proper statement was released.

“Rosalynn Carter was a compassionate and committed champion of human dignity everywhere,” the updated release said.

“Throughout her long, remarkable life, she was an unwavering voice for the overlooked and underrepresented,” Clinton continued. “Thanks to her mental health advocacy, more people live with better care and less stigma. Because of her early leadership on childhood immunization, millions of Americans have grown up healthier. And through her decades of work at the Carter Center and with Habitat for Humanity, she spread hope, health and democracy across the globe.”

“Rosalynn will be forever remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose. Hillary and I are deeply grateful for her extraordinary service to our nation and world, and for more than 40 years of friendship. Our prayers are with President Carter, Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and the entire Carter family,” he concluded.

Mrs. Carter, who was diagnosed with dementia six months ago, passed away two days after she entered hospice care. Married to former President Jimmy Carter for 77 years, Rosalynn died Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, with her family at her side.  She is survived by her children, Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy, plus 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” the 99-year-old former president said in a statement, following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

As might be expected, Slick Willy was ridiculed online for the embarrassing mistake… here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story from X:

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