Former President George W. Bush punched former President Barack Obama at the late President Carter's funeral on Thursday, and the moment was caught on camera and widely shared on social media.
Obama stood in for Bush as he entered the pews with other presidents, but both President-elect Trump and first lady Melania Trump remained seated.
When Bush tried to take a seat near Obama, the older president gave him a brief compliment.Belly slap. President Obama then patted President Bush on the back and returned the friendly gesture.
Mr. Bush did not interact with Mr. Trump at that moment, and appeared to be ignoring him.
Presidents Bush and Obama have shared a number of friendly interactions in recent years, but this was a notable moment amid the country's deep political polarization.
President Bush and former first lady Michelle Obama, in particular, have been at the center of multiple viral interactions, including at the opening of the African American History Museum in 2016.
The exchange between former Presidents Obama and Bush took place on Thursday, when all five living presidents gathered at the Washington National Cathedral to attend Carter's funeral.
Mr. Obama also exchanged pleasantries with the president-elect, and the former Democratic leader occasionally chuckled.
Carter died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100, and his state funeral was held in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, after a state funeral at the Capitol this week for the nation to mourn. President Biden delivered a eulogy at Carter's request.
