The nation’s most exclusive fraternity — the presidents club — assembled Wednesday to mourn George H.W. Bush, putting on public display its uneasy relationship with the current occupant of the Oval Office. The uncomfortable reunion brought President Donald Trump together in the same pew with past White House residents who have given him decidedly critical reviews.
The late Bush was the de facto chair of the modern incarnation of the president’s club, transcending contentious campaigns and party lines to bring together fractious personalities who share that rarified experience. But the staid group of Oval Office occupants has been disturbed since Donald Trump’s election. And since his swearing-in, Trump has spurned most contact with his predecessors — and they have snubbed him in return.
[VIDEOS: George H.W. Bush Saluted With Praise, Humor; 43 Eulogizes Dad Through Tears, Laughter]
The Bushes had made it known to the White House months ago that, despite differences in policy and temperament, the late president wanted Trump to attend the national service. The ceremony’s tributes at times stood as an unspoken counterpoint to Trump’s leadership, as historian Jon Meacham eulogized Bush by recounting his life’s credo: “Tell the truth, don’t blame people, be strong, do your best, try hard, forgive, stay the course.” George W. Bush added of his father: “He could tease and needle, but not out of malice.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s state funeral for the late president, former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and their spouses chatted easily among themselves from their seats in the front row at Washington’s National Cathedral. The ex-presidents leaned over their wives to chat with one another. Bill Clinton and former first lady Michelle Obama shared a quiet conversation.
But the Trumps’ arrival, minutes ahead of the motorcade carrying Bush’s casket, cast a pall on the conversation. First lady Melania Trump approached first, greeting both Obamas and former President Clinton with a handshake. Hillary Clinton appeared to nod at Mrs. Trump but did not interact with Trump himself and stared straight ahead during the service. Jimmy Carter waved a hand. The president then shook hands with both Obamas before taking his seat.
After that, the small talk along the row largely stopped.
Next followed George W. Bush, who, by contrast, shook hands with the entire row of dignitaries — and appeared to share a moment of humor with Michelle Obama, slipping what appeared to be a candy into her hand. Bush had done similar at Se. John McCain’s funeraql this past summer. Obama smiled as she received the gift.
Bush took his seat across the aisle from the ex-presidents, with the rest of the Bush family.
The Trump-Obama handshake marked the first direct interaction between the current president and his immediate predecessor since Inauguration Day 2017. Trump has not spoken to Democrats Clinton or Obama since that day.
He did speak with the younger Bush during the contentious confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, as the previous Republican president helped lobby for his former aide. Democrat Carter has been briefed by White House officials on North Korea, though it was not clear if he has engaged directly with Trump.
Trump has sought to meet the elder Bush’s passing with grace, a contrast to the rhythms of much of his tumultuous presidency. He came to office after a campaign in which he harshly criticized his Democratic predecessors and co-opted a Republican Party once dominated by the Bush family. Despite the traditional kinship among presidents, Trump’s predecessors have all made their discomfort known in different ways.
“It’s unusual that a cabal of ex-presidents from both parties dislike a sitting president and that’s what you’ve got happening right now,” said Douglas Brinkley, a history professor at Rice University.
By virtue of health, longevity and opportunities for continued influence, ex-presidents are sticking around longer than ever and staying active in the public eye.
Past presidents often built relationships with their predecessors, Brinkley said. “Bill Clinton would reach out to Richard Nixon for advice on Russia,” he said. “Harry Truman leaned heavily on Herbert Hoover. It’s endless.”
To be sure, Brinkley added, those ties vary from president to president and there have been chilly relationships as well, noting, for example, that “FDR would never talk to Herbert Hoover.”
Busy with a mix of personal pursuits, charitable endeavors — and, in some cases, paid speaking gigs — the former leaders don’t mingle very often, making a funeral in their group a big occasion. Bonded by the presidency, they tend to exercise caution in their comments about each other. Still, all the living former presidents have aimed barbs — directly or indirectly — at Trump.
In a speech in September, Obama slammed the “crazy stuff” coming out of the White House without directly naming Trump. Last year, the younger Bush made a speech that confronted many of the themes of Trump’s presidency without mentioning him by name, cautioning that “bigotry seems emboldened” and the nation’s politics “seems more vulnerable to conspiracy theories and outright fabrication.”
Looking forward to being with the Bush family. This is not a funeral, this is a day of celebration for a great man who has led a long and distinguished life. He will be missed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2018
Over the summer, Carter told The Washington Post that Trump’s presidency was a “disaster.” And Clinton — stung by Trump’s defeat of wife Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race — told a weekly newspaper in New York state after her stunning loss that Trump “doesn’t know much.”
Even the late Bush’s feelings about Trump were harsh at times. In Mark K. Updegrove’s book “The Last Republicans,” published last year, the elder Bush called Trump a “blowhard.”
The late Bush said he voted for Clinton in 2016 while George W. Bush said he voted for “none of the above.”
There have been other moments when the ex-presidents offered more sympathetic sentiments for Trump. After Trump’s surprise victory, Obama stood in the Rose Garden at the White House and said he was “rooting” for the next president. Carter told The New York Times in 2017 the media had been harder on Trump than other presidents. Clinton said in June that America should be rooting for Trump to succeed in his North Korea talks.
While he has struggled to set the right tone in past moments of national grief, Trump has gone out of his way to address Bush’s passing with consideration, issuing kind statements and ensuring that Bush family members have whatever they need for the funeral. On Tuesday, first lady Melania Trump welcomed Laura Bush and other family members for a tour of the White House Christmas decorations. And Trump and the first lady visited with members of the Bush family at Blair House.
(AP)
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17 Responses
Although I wasn’t a fan of 41s politics, the ceremony was lovely and respectful. I’m sure it was difficult for the president to keep his mouth shut, it’s pretty much evidenced by his grumpy face throughout the entire ceremony. I wonder if he will keep tradition and join the group photo of the remaining presidents?
Pay attention to the pomp and circumstance afforded to a leader of the umos ha’olam. Try to imagine this multiplied many times when the Melech Hamoshiach arrives, BB”A.
Many gedolim back in the day mad a special effort to see kings and royalty so they could make the berachah, but also to get an inkling of what is in store for us in the future.
the main objective in the seat’g arrangement was to keep slick willys hands away from melania
#1, grumpy face? What , did you want him to smile and be cheery? It was a funeral for heavens sake. Its amazing the never Trumpers will find fault in him what ever he does!
Who cares who net next to whom? Maybe it was the order of presidency ?
Only god knows why were still stuck with jimmy Carter after almost 50 yrs now. We can’t seem to get rid of him
Frosty indeed…especially by the Dem. women.
To Amil #1.
The middle part of your comments is a classic example of why there is no civility today.
The anti trump continues to insult vilify and twist the news.
Then if Trump defends himself -he’s a boor. But if he won’t defend himself -he’ll be a Romney- discarded. (They even attacked him for letting the dog ride on the roof of a car -in a dog holder.
“grumpy face”. Its a funeral…Mr. Trump is appropriatly solemn.
I noticed in one of the pictures that Jared and Ivanka are not sitting together. Maybe they initially thought it was separate seating, and only later realized it wasn’t, but by then they couldn’t find two seats together?
Re: Grumpy
President Trump:
Ya shoudda played “Oh, When I’m Smilin’ ” on the geeetar to please the Amils of the world. Louis Armstrong wouldda been proud..
Hey Bill, you too…. Pull out that sax and put down some Coltrane sugar jazz…
TDS is not so much craziness, as insanity.
To me it just looked like Trump didn’t want to lean over 2 people to shake hands with everyone else on the row, and he couldn’t reach the Carters, at the end of the row, even if he wanted to.
BABAKAMA, the Presidents are seated in the same order for funerals and some formal events when they all appear together.
Baal Boose, why must you put words into my mouth to move your own point forward. I simply mentioned the grimace on our presidents face. And yet you find that uncivil? I will suggest you read the reportage of the presidents behavior at his own father’s funeral service and get back to me.
I guess Michelle has really bad breath since Bush 43 is always giving her a candy when in her presence.
ZionGate I see you are another who must lie and misrepresent in order to further your point, how very sad you cannot reply from your adult.
People like those in the first pew who have been in the public eye all receive press and public appearance training on an ongoing basis. I would guess from the ignorant replies to my post many of you are unfamiliar with this process. One of the things you are taught is to find a neutral face so that it can be used in appropriate situations such as this. A neutral face is a face that is an almost soft poker face, one that doesn’t betray your true feelings. How one goes about this is dependent on the coach and ones facial features.
Amil,
That’s his face & expression.
I can’t believe I’m even to responding to this nonsense. Mr. Prez, when Jimmy Carter kicks it in, please have a tutor teach you soft poker faces, neutral faces. Is this a joke?
Zion’s Gate, it’s evident that you are among the unknowing.Even a high school debate team member is schooled on neutral facial expressions. But then again you may be right, it is his usual expression. He often looks like he has a mouthful of vinegar. Perhaps the first lady prefers him that way.
Have a good day and a pleasant tomorrow.