In January 2025, Vice President Kamala Harris attended the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral. Following the service, Harris shared a photograph on her official social media accounts, depicting herself alongside President Joe Biden and former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, all paying their respects. Notably absent from the image was President-elect Donald Trump, who had also attended the funeral and was seated next to Obama during the service.HuffPost+3opposingviews.com+3–+3
The omission of Trump from Harris’s photo quickly sparked discussions online. Observers speculated whether the exclusion was intentional, especially given the contentious political climate following the 2024 election, in which Harris and Biden defeated Trump. Social media users commented on the cropping of the image, with remarks such as “Best photo crop of the decade” and “I love a good cropped photo.” opposingviews.com+1–+1–+1opposingviews.com+1
The Carter Center, the charitable organization founded by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, also shared funeral photos that did not feature the Trumps, despite their attendance. This further fueled debates about potential deliberate exclusions. HuffPost+2opposingviews.com+2–+2
During the funeral, an unexpected moment occurred between Trump and Obama. The two were seen sharing a light-hearted exchange, a departure from their historically strained relationship. This interaction drew attention, with some noting Vice President Harris’s reaction upon witnessing their rapport. Latest news & breaking headlines+6The US Sun+6New York Post+6Latest news & breaking headlines+2New York Post+2ElHuffPost+2
The funeral service was attended by all five living former U.S. presidents—Biden, Trump, Clinton, Bush, and Obama—as well as several former vice presidents and other dignitaries. Notably, former First Lady Michelle Obama was absent, with no explanation provided. ElHuffPost+2opposingviews.com+2–+2New York Post+2–+2opposingviews.com+2
While the primary focus of the day was to honor the legacy of Jimmy Carter, the discussions surrounding Harris’s photo and the interactions among political figures highlighted the enduring complexities of political relationships and public perceptions
