Donald Trump’s Hand-Over-Heart Gesture at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral Under Scrutiny
Barack Obama as Melania Trump looks on during the state funeral for former US president Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC: The funeral for former President Jimmy Carter was held on January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, marking the conclusion of over a week of tributes to the 39th president, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100. Political leaders, family, and friends gathered to honor his legacy.
Amid the solemn ceremony, a rumor circulated online claiming that President-elect Donald Trump failed to place his right hand over his heart as service members carried Carter’s flag-draped casket. Social media posts featuring photos of Trump standing with his hand at his side suggested a lack of respect during this symbolic moment. But is this claim true?
The rumors, shared widely on platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), were debunked. In fact, Trump did place his hand over his heart while Carter’s casket was carried, as confirmed by multiple sources, including a broadcast from C-SPAN. Media outlets also published photos showing Trump with his hand properly placed over his heart during the ceremony, according to Snopes.
The confusion appears to have been fueled by viral photos showing Trump standing with his hands at his sides, which were likely taken at a different point in the service. Some users questioned the authenticity of these images, with one Facebook post asking, “Is this photo legit?”
Adding to the controversy, Vice President Kamala Harris shared a photograph from the funeral that omitted Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump. The image, posted on Harris’s official Instagram account, showed her alongside President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, all with their hands over their hearts. Trump, who stood beside Obama during the ceremony, was cropped out, reported USA Today.
In her tribute to Carter, Harris wrote, “President Jimmy Carter loved our country. He lived his faith, served the people, and left the world better than he found it. President Carter’s many contributions will echo for generations to come.”
While the exclusion of Trump from Harris’s post raised eyebrows, it did not alter the facts: Trump adhered to the expected decorum during the funeral. The baseless rumors highlight the polarized atmosphere surrounding political figures, even at events meant to unify and honor a shared legacy.
