President-elect Joe Biden praised Jimmy Carter as a “truly good man,” marking a significant shift from past rhetoric in their often-contentious relationship. Speaking to reporters during a family vacation in the US Virgin Islands hours after Carter’s death at age 100, Biden contrasted Carter’s character sharply with that of his predecessor, Donald Trump. When asked what Trump could learn from Carter, Biden simply replied, “Decency. Decency. Decency.” He elaborated, questioning whether Carter would ever ignore someone in need or resort to demeaning language based on appearance or speech. Biden lauded Carter as a humanitarian, personal friend, and “remarkable leader,” emphasizing the impact of Carter’s values on America’s global standing. He stated that “the rest of the world looks to us,” and Carter was a worthy example.
Trump, who had previously engaged in public disagreements with Carter, offered a more measured response. In two statements released on Sunday, he praised Carter as “a truly good man” for whom he had “the highest respect,” acknowledging Carter’s significant impact on the presidency. Trump wrote on Truth Social, “While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our country, and all it stands for. He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect.”
This response represented a stark contrast to Trump’s previous rhetoric. In October, on Carter’s 100th birthday, Trump mocked the former president during a campaign event, a far cry from the respectful tone adopted following Carter’s death. The relationship between Carter and Trump had a long history of disagreements and jabs. In 2019, Carter suggested Russian interference secured Trump’s 2016 victory, a comment Trump dismissed by calling Carter a “nice man” but a “terrible president” and the “forgotten president.” Carter later warned that a second Trump term would be “a disaster.”
Later on X (formerly Twitter), Biden continued his praise of Carter’s life’s work, including his 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in conflict resolution, human rights advocacy, and promoting economic and social development. Biden stated that Carter “lived a life measured not by words, but by deeds,” and “lifted people up, changed lives, and saved lives all over the globe.” He concluded by saying, “Jimmy Carter stands as a model for what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose. We could all do well to be a little more like Jimmy Carter.”