President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that the nation “owes a debt of gratitude” to former President Jimmy Carter.
in Post on his Truth Social platformPresident Trump said the 39th president, who died Sunday at age 100, served the nation at a critical time.
“Those of us who have been fortunate enough to serve as president understand that this is a very exclusive club. We are the only ones who can relate to the great responsibility of leading the greatest country in history. '' he wrote.
“The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country, and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all thank him. I have an obligation.”
Carter passed away in her hometown of Plains, Georgia, after spending nearly two years in hospice care.
“Melania and I have the Carter family and their loved ones in our hearts during this difficult time. We ask everyone to keep this in your thoughts and prayers,” Trump said in his message. I highly recommend it.”
in follow-up post, “While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our country and everything it represents,” Trump said.
“I have the utmost respect for him because he worked hard to make America a better place. He was a really good person and will of course be greatly missed,” Trump continued.
“He had far more influence than most presidents after he left the Oval Office.”
Before his death, Carter was expected not to attend Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 because the Democrat was too frail to attend the ceremony in Washington, D.C.
“President Carter has been in hospice care for nearly two years,” a spokesperson told the Post earlier this month. “As you can imagine, he no longer appears in public.”
The Carters were also absent from the swearing-in ceremony of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in January 2021.
President Trump's kind words were one of several compliments received from other former presidents.
“Jimmy Carter, elected in the shadow of Watergate, promised voters he would always tell the truth. And he advocated the public interest, but the results were abhorrent,” said former President Barack Obama. said in a statement.
“He believed there were things more important than re-election, such as integrity, respect, and compassion. Because I believed it as deeply as I believed it.”
Biden called Carter an “extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian” in a statement released by the White House.
Follow updates on the death of President Jimmy Carter
Former President George W. Bush called Mr. Carter “a man of deep convictions.”
“He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country. President Carter brought dignity to the office. And his efforts to leave the world a better place did not end with his presidency,” the Republican said. This was said in a statement released by the Bush Presidential Center.
A former peanut farmer, Carter was an active citizen until his failing health prevented him from doing countless good deeds, including his work with Habitat for Humanity. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his continued efforts as a global humanitarian.
Mr. Carter's official state funeral will be held in Washington, DC.
