US President-elect Donald Trump honored the late Jimmy Carter as he lay in state in Washington.
Mr. Trump, alongside his wife Melania, spent several moments standing before the flag-draped coffin of former President Carter in the grand Rotunda of the US Capitol. After taking a deep breath and holding Melania’s hand, they turned to leave.
Four years prior, this very space was invaded by Mr. Trump’s supporters, who attempted – unsuccessfully – to halt the certification of his election defeat to President Joe Biden.
Nonetheless, he made a significant comeback in last November’s election and is set to be inaugurated as the 47th US president on January 20, although flags will be flown at half-staff during the ceremony to honor Mr. Carter.
Mr. Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, served a single term from 1977 to 1981 and received widespread acclaim for his humanitarian work after leaving office, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
A state funeral service is scheduled later today for Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral in Washington.
His body has been lying in state at the Capitol, allowing the public to pay their respects to a man who faced criticism for his political instincts while in office but ultimately redefined the potential of post-presidency.
The state funeral service will take place later today at the National Cathedral, an Episcopal church in Washington that has also hosted funerals for former presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush.
Mr. Biden is set to deliver the eulogy for his fellow Democrat, while the US president-elect and the other three living former presidents – Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama – are anticipated to attend.
