By Adeyemi Adekunle
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed his attendance for the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. Trump made the announcement casually while arriving at a New Year’s Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. When asked by reporters, Trump simply said, “I’ll be there,” before adding that he had not spoken to Carter’s family but preferred not to share details.
Funeral services for Carter will begin January 4 in Georgia and Washington, D.C., and conclude on January 9. Despite his past criticisms of Carter, particularly during the election campaign, Trump expressed respect for the late president’s dedication to the country following his death.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump acknowledged Carter’s service and love for America, stating, “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.”
Trump, who frequently compared the policies of Carter’s presidency to those of President Joe Biden, including the soaring inflation of the 1970s, softened his tone after Carter’s passing.
“He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect,” Trump wrote, acknowledging Carter’s commitment to improving the nation.
At the New Year’s Eve event, Trump wore a tuxedo as he took a moment to address reporters, who also inquired about various issues, including the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. When asked about a potential ceasefire, Trump refrained from offering a definitive stance, commenting, “We’re going to see what happens.” He also made brief remarks regarding hostages taken by Hamas over a year ago, stating pointedly, “They better let the hostages come back soon.”
Looking ahead to his term as president, Trump expressed optimism for the country’s future, saying he expected 2025 to be “a great year” and that America would “do fantastically well.” He also reflected on global mood, suggesting, “There’s a whole light over the whole world, not just our country. They’re a lot of happy people.”
Trump’s comments about his New Year’s resolution were simple and focused on the well-being of the public. “I just want everybody to be happy, healthy and well,” he said, signaling a positive outlook for the coming year.
At midnight, Trump took the stage to address the crowd gathered at Mar-a-Lago, reaffirming his commitment to the nation and promising, “to do a great job as your president.”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, who celebrated the end of the year in his home state of Delaware, attended the wedding of his niece, Missy Owens, in Greenville. Biden, alongside First Lady Jill Biden, cut short their holiday vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands to partake in the wedding and subsequent reception in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
As the country navigates these transitions in leadership, both Trump and Biden marked the close of the year with public statements reflecting their aspirations for the future—Trump preparing for the challenges of 2025, and Biden celebrating personal milestones with family.
