Ah, Joe Biden, ever the unifier. In his Sunday address following the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, Biden managed to balance solemnity with—you guessed it—a thinly veiled jab at President-elect Donald Trump.
It was classic Biden: sentimental anecdotes mixed with partisan potshots, all delivered in that hoarse, nostalgic tone that’s either heartfelt or a little too rehearsed, depending on your perspective.
Let’s start with the praise for Carter, which was, to be fair, well-deserved. Jimmy Carter was a man of principle and humility who spent decades living out his values through humanitarian work. Biden rightly called attention to Carter’s faith and decency, painting a picture of a bygone era of politics where character seemed to matter more. But then came the pivot. When asked what Trump could learn from Carter, Biden dropped the word “decency” like a hammer—three times in a row, just in case we missed the insinuation.
“Decency, decency, decency,” Biden said, clearly aiming to contrast Carter’s gentlemanly reputation with Trump’s brash style. Subtle, Joe. Really subtle. And if there was any doubt left about who Biden was targeting, he followed up with a rhetorical jab: “Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking by someone who needed something and just keep walking? Can you imagine Jimmy Carter referring to someone by the way they look or the way they talk?” For a moment of national mourning, Biden sure seemed eager to turn it into a political lecture.
President Joe Biden uses Jimmy Carter’s death to attack President-elect Donald Trump, says Trump could learn something from Carter’s “decency”
He repeats it 3 times: “Decency. Decency. Decency.”pic.twitter.com/PENgU7crFq
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) December 30, 2024
Now, contrast that with Trump’s statement on Carter’s death. Trump, in his usual direct style, acknowledged his philosophical and political differences with Carter but still managed to strike a gracious tone. He praised Carter’s love for America and his tireless efforts to improve the nation, even calling him “a good man” and “very consequential.” No digs, no jabs—just a straightforward acknowledgment of the man’s legacy.
Statement from President Donald J. Trump on the passing of President Jimmy Carter: pic.twitter.com/chCrr3Km6D
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 29, 2024
What’s ironic here is that Biden’s attempt to draw moral lines ends up exposing the kind of partisanship he claims to oppose. By using Carter’s passing as an opportunity to swipe at Trump, he undermines his own message of unity. And let’s not forget: Carter himself, while a staunch Democrat, was known for his ability to connect with people across the aisle. Biden’s remarks would’ve been far more powerful if he had focused solely on honoring Carter’s character without dragging Trump into the conversation.
It’s also worth noting that Biden’s comments about Carter being “a man of a bygone era” seem to carry an undercurrent of wistfulness, as if he’s lamenting the loss of a political style that he himself can’t quite replicate. Sure, Biden talks about decency and character, but actions speak louder than words. Taking potshots at your successor-in-waiting during a eulogy? Not exactly the high road.
Ultimately, Carter’s legacy stands on its own as a testament to humility and service. Biden, however, couldn’t resist turning the moment into a political weapon. Meanwhile, Trump, often painted as the divisive one, managed to strike the more respectful tone. If there’s a lesson to be learned from Carter’s life, it’s this: decency isn’t about what you say; it’s about how you act. Maybe Biden should take a page from Carter’s playbook instead of trying to rewrite it.
