The two US leaders were spotted in a deep discussion at the funeral (Image: AP)
Donald Trump and were seen deep in conversation at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, with many wondering what they could be discussing.
The two presidents, once political adversaries, were seated side by side during the service in Washington DC on Thursday, where they engaged in a lengthy chat and even shared a laugh.
Lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman has now shed light on part of their dialogue, revealing a snippet that hints at a commitment has backed away from.
In one moment captured on camera, he can reveal that confides: “I’ve pulled out of that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that?” The specifics of what Trump was referring to remain unclear.
Trump then tells Obama: “I can’t talk, we have to find a quiet place. Sometimes this is a matter of importance and we need to do this outside so that we can deal with it, certainly, today,” to which Obama nods in agreement.
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Observers noted the pair seemed quite at ease with one another, with body language expert Judi James suggesting to the Mirror that their interaction could indicate they share some common “values” despite their stark political differences, reports .
She observed: “The rather curt ‘hi’ that passed between Obama and Trump as Obama arrived suggested the body language between the two men might be as frosty as that of the people in the row in front of them, but then Obama unbuttoned his jacket and took his seat and suddenly we saw rituals of what looked like an amicable, relaxed friendship as the two Presidents chatted.
“Trump’s face formed the kind of grin when you’re expecting some empathetic laughter or fun and their very long, animated conversations did produce some smiles and laughter.”
“At one point Obama raised the side of his order of service to give the impression that they might even have been gossiping and in need of a truncated screen. The impression was of a cordial relationship with some shared values although maybe not political ones.”
The pair appear to share a joke (Image: AP)
During the memorial service for Jimmy Carter, President , who is set to leave office in 11 days, delivered a heartfelt eulogy praising Carter’s defining “character”. Biden recounted lessons learned from the former president, emphasising that “everyone should be treated with dignity and respect”.
We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbour,” stated Biden, also touching upon the need to stand up against “abuse in power”.
Before the service began, , who was in attendance, had a brief interaction with his former vice president Mike Pence – noteworthy due to their estrangement following Pence’s refusal to assist Trump in contesting his election loss to Biden four years earlier.
Pence greeted Trump with a handshake as he took his seat. Meanwhile, Vice President , who was defeated by Trump last November, arrived later and wasn’t observed exchanging pleasantries with him.
Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29 at the venerable age of 100, and notably, two of the eulogies presented had been penned by individuals who predeceased him his own vice president Walter Mondale and predecessor Gerald Ford.