As the nation mourns the loss of former President Jimmy Carter, his life and legacy have taken center stage. But amid the reverent tributes, a pointed message has emerged from an unlikely source: outgoing President Joe Biden, who suggests that incoming President Donald Trump could stand to learn a vital lesson in decency from the late humanitarian icon.
A Study in Presidential Character
Speaking to reporters during a family vacation, Biden drew sharp contrasts between the character of the deeply empathetic Carter and the often abrasive Trump. When asked if there was anything Trump could learn from Carter, Biden’s response was pointed: “Decency. Decency. Decency.”
“Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking by someone who needed something and just keep walking? Can you imagine Jimmy Carter referring to someone by the way they look or the way they talk? I can’t.”
– President Joe Biden
Biden’s remarks underscore the profound impact of Carter’s values-driven leadership on America’s global standing. “The rest of the world looks to us,” Biden noted. “And he was worth looking to.” It’s a poignant reminder of the soft power that flows from a president who leads with integrity and compassion.
Trump’s Measured Response
For his part, Trump struck an uncharacteristically respectful tone in his response to Carter’s passing, describing him as “a truly good man” for whom he had the “highest respect.” It marked a notable shift from Trump’s past criticisms of Carter, including a jab as recently as Carter’s 100th birthday last October, when Trump dismissed Carter as “the happiest man” simply because Biden’s struggles made Carter look better by comparison.
Trump acknowledged his strong philosophical and political disagreements with Carter, but added that he “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.”
A Thorny History
Trump’s gracious words mark a striking reversal from the thorny history between the two men. In 2019, Carter had suggested that Russian interference handed Trump his 2016 victory, prompting Trump to dismiss Carter as a “nice man” but a “terrible president” and the “forgotten president.” Carter later warned that a second Trump term would spell “disaster,” citing Trump’s advanced age as a concerning factor.
Those tensions seemed to fade away, at least temporarily, in the wake of Carter’s death. The question now is whether Trump will take Biden’s words to heart and strive to emulate some of the decency that defined Carter’s life and legacy.
A Life of Purpose
Biden’s tribute to Carter extended beyond the personal to encompass the sweeping impact of the 39th president’s tireless work. From conflict resolution to human rights to economic development, Carter’s post-presidency was a masterclass in leveraging one’s platform for the greater good.
“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.”
– President Joe Biden
As Carter is laid to rest and Trump prepares to assume the presidency once more, the question of what defines a successful leader has never felt more pressing. Will Trump’s second term be marked by the brash combativeness that so often defined his first, or will he take a page from Carter’s book and lead with empathy, humility, and an unwavering commitment to lifting up others? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the legacy of Jimmy Carter will continue to serve as a north star for what true presidential greatness looks like – a life lived in service of the most vulnerable, powered by unshakable moral clarity and compassion. And that is a lesson that transcends any one leader or era.
