ISLAMABAD: United States (US) president-elect Donald Trump, who has been considered politically divisive and unpredictable by his political opponents, categorically stated that he will attend former US president Jimmy Carter’s state funeral.
US President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he plans to attend the state funeral of former president Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday aged 100, according to AFP.
“I’ll be there”
Trump shared his intentions with reporters during New Year’s Eve celebrations at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
“I do. I’ll be there. We were invited,” Trump said.
Carter, a Democrat who served one term as US president from 1977 to 1981, voted by mail in the 2024 US presidential election, with family members saying he planned to vote for Trump’s opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
State funeral plans for Carter, a one-time peanut farmer who worked his way to the White House, begin Saturday in his home state of Georgia and will conclude January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, where Trump is expected to attend along with other dignitaries, the AFP reported.
What is a state funeral?
A state funeral is a national remembrance event marking the life of Americans who have made a huge contribution to public life. Most presidents receive the honour if their family agrees. It usually lasts seven to 10 days and includes ceremonies in the hometown of the deceased, as well as in Washington, BBC reported.
Who will attend?
Biden will be delivering the eulogy at Carter’s Washington DC funeral, after the 39th president asked him to in March 2023, according to BBC.
Former presidents and first ladies typically attend funerals of their predecessors, so First Lady Jill Biden and others like former President Barack Obama could be in attendance. Hillary and Bill Clinton are also expected to be there. He did not go to Rosalynn Carter’s funeral last year, but his wife Melania did, along with other former first ladies, the BBC reported.
Trump did attend the Washington service for Republican George HW Bush. There were five living presidents, including Carter, in attendance, it said.
