BSS
  01 Jan 2025, 11:57

Trump to attend Jimmy Carter state funeral

WASHINGTON, Jan 1, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - US President-elect Donald Trump said 
Tuesday he plans to attend the state funeral of former president Jimmy 
Carter, who died Sunday aged 100.

Trump shared his intentions with reporters during New Year's Eve celebrations 
at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

"I'll be there. We were invited," Trump said.

When asked a follow-up question about whether he had spoken to any of 
Carter's family members, the Republican demurred, responding: "I'd rather not 
say."

Carter, a Democrat who served one term as US president from 1977 to 1981, 
voted by mail in the 2024 US presidential election, with family members 
saying he planned to vote for Trump's opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

State funeral plans for Carter, a one-time peanut farmer who worked his way 
to the White House, begin Saturday in his home state of Georgia and will 
conclude January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, where Trump is 
expected to attend along with other dignitaries.

President Joe Biden, who will be in his final weeks in office, is expected to 
deliver the eulogy at the service.

In 2018, after the death of former president George H. W. Bush -- who was in 
office from 1989 to 1993 -- Trump attended the state funeral alongside fellow 
ex-presidents Carter, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as their 
spouses.

After the service in Washington, Carter's remains will be flown down to 
Georgia for a private funeral and burial.