As five presidents—both current and former—gathered to honor the late Jimmy Carter at his state funeral held at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, one can’t help but wonder how such a gathering might have struck Carter himself.

James Earl Carter always seemed to stand apart within the former-president’s circle—especially now that Donald Trump has joined the ranks.

Carter, who first took office in 1977 as an outsider amid the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, often ruffled feathers of his successors by publicly voicing his opinions on foreign policy and their actions while they were in office. He exited the presidency in a manner that mirrored his entry—unexpectedly, only four years later.

Despite differing opinions, Carter maintained a strong belief in his judgment and the validity of his views. After returning to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, he dedicated himself to advocacy work in areas such as democracy, affordable housing, and healthcare, establishing a reputation that gave him the freedom to express himself without reservation.

Winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 only added to his standing.

During his eulogy, President Joe Biden emphasized that Carter’s defining quality was “character, character, character.” He expressed his belief that character shapes both individual destinies and the fate of the nation.

In attendance at the cathedral, alongside Biden, were former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Trump. This marked the first occasion since George H.W. Bush’s funeral in 2018 that so many former presidents gathered in one place.

The presence of these leaders likely stemmed from a sense of duty to partake in the ceremonies that symbolize the unity and essence of the nation, such as state funerals and presidential inaugurations. It may also reflect the adage often misattributed to Yogi Berra: “Always attend other people’s funerals; if you don’t, they won’t attend yours.”

Traditionally, former presidents adhered to an unspoken agreement to refrain from publicly critiquing their successors, regardless of past animosities. For instance, George H.W. Bush, after losing to Clinton, vowed not to engage in public political disputes, and he stayed true to that promise.

However, Carter frequently broke that norm throughout both Republican and Democratic administrations.

“He often offered what seemed to be unsolicited advice to his presidential successors, and perhaps the Almighty was prepared to hear Jimmy’s consejos on making the world a more peaceful place,” joked former Carter adviser Stuart Eisenstat, prompting laughter from attendees in President’s Row.

Carter was open to meeting foreign leaders whom current presidents would prefer to avoid, engaging with figures like Fidel Castro of Cuba and Hafez al-Assad of Syria. He even visited North Korea to discuss nuclear regulations, later sharing details about these talks on CNN without involving President Clinton first.

Carter was vocal about his criticism of Ronald Reagan, called out Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal, referred to George W. Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history,” and implied that Trump’s 2016 victory was illegitimate due to Russian interference.

Trump responded by labeling him a “terrible president.”

Despite their rocky history, Trump, just 11 days away from his inauguration for a second term, attended the funeral alongside his wife, Melania.

In some ways, Trump’s rise to power in 2016 shifted the narrative, with Carter no longer being viewed as the primary nonconformist. Biden, Obama, and Clinton have framed Trump as a threat to democracy—concerns that overshadowed anything directed toward Carter, who was especially noted for advocating democracy on a global scale. Even George W. Bush, a staunch Republican, chose not to support Trump in 2020, instead writing in Condoleezza Rice’s name.

At the funeral, Trump sat next to Obama, and they engaged in friendly conversation; however, neither Clinton nor Bush exchanged greetings with him as they arrived to take their seats further down the row. Bush did share a light-hearted moment, giving Obama a playful tap. Vice President Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton, whom Trump had defeated in the 2024 and 2016 elections respectively, also chose not to acknowledge him.

Reflecting on the dynamics among presidents, Clinton once explained in an interview back in 1997 for YSL News that strong personalities often clash, especially when historical conflicts arise over time, leading to challenges in maintaining amicable relationships.

This article delves into the complicated relationship between Clinton and Carter.

Their interactions have been tense throughout their history. While serving as the governor of Arkansas, Clinton held then-President Carter responsible for his unsuccessful reelection campaign. A controversial decision was made during Carter’s administration, as Cuban refugees from the Mariel boatlift were settled at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas, which led to political backlash following riots at the facility.

Carter was aware of the challenges. In a 1997 interview with YSL News, he remarked, “We have faced some disappointments due to the difficulties in communication and understanding with some of President Clinton’s team.”

Nevertheless, two years later, Clinton honored Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Of all the living presidents, Biden had the closest bond with Carter. As the junior senator from Delaware, he was the first Democratic official outside of Georgia to back Carter’s presidential campaign, and he was the last president or ex-president to visit Carter for a farewell.

On the 100th day of his presidency, Biden visited Plains for what would be a final encounter with Carter, who was 96 years old and in declining health. It was during this meeting that Carter expressed his wish for Biden to deliver his eulogy when that time arrived.

“Sure, I didn’t agree with him on everything, and that was sometimes made public,” Biden shared with YSL News in an interview on Sunday. In fact, in 1980, he was so discontent with Carter’s presidency that he briefly thought about challenging him for the Democratic nomination alongside Senator Edward Kennedy from Massachusetts. “But I believe Carter was a genuinely good person.”

In his eulogy, Biden recounted their last meeting in Plains, stating, “We were with Jimmy as he always was, at peace with an entire life well-lived—filled with purpose and significance. His character was shaped by destiny and imbued with faith, hope, and love.”

“May God bless you, Jimmy Carter.”