Former President Donald Trump took a swipe at former President Jimmy Carter, suggesting Carter is grateful for Joe Biden’s presidency.
What Happened: During his Iowa caucus victory speech, Trump mentioned the funeral of Carter’s wife, Rosalynn Carter. "My wife attended the funeral two months ago of Rosalynn Carter. And it was beautiful. Jimmy Carter was there," Trump said, reported The Hill.
"I thought to myself, Jimmy Carter is happy now, because he will go down as a brilliant president by comparison to Joe Biden."
The Democratic group American Bridge 21st Century criticized Trump’s comments as “inhumane”. Spokesperson Brandon Weathersby stated, “Donald Trump has operated the same way his entire four decades in public life.”
"He doesn't care who he insults, disrespects, or offends as long as he gets his way in the end. Nothing is sacred or off-limits for Trump, not the dead, not American icons, not even some of our most decorated veterans or the memories of our war heroes."
“This is the person to whom the Republican Party just handed the first state in its primary process and who, barring an act of God, will be their next nominee for president.”
Why It Matters: This is not the first instance of Trump comparing Biden to Carter. He has made similar comments last year in September. Trump, at the California GOP’s fall convention, stated that Carter “wasn’t a great president” but compared to Biden, he was one of the “great presidents”.
Carter, who is now 99, entered hospice last year. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, also announced a diagnosis of dementia in May. Carter lost his wife in November and her funeral was attended by all living former first ladies and former President Bill Clinton.
Trump secured a decisive win in the first 2024 Republican presidential contest in Iowa on Monday, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, respectively.
Meanwhile, RealClearPolitics’s average polling data for the Democratic primary indicates that Biden enjoys support from nearly 70% of the respondents. Following him is author Marianne Williamson with almost 8%, and Phillips trails behind at around 3%.
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