Jimmy Carter Funeral: Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood Show United Front

In addition to many of the presidents being joined by their spouses, including Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Melania Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff were seated alongside President Biden and his wife Jill Biden in the front row of the National Cathedral.

Former Vice President Mike Pence was also seated nearby the presidents and shared a brief exchange with President Trump.

Notably absent was Michelle Obama, who was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, per CNN’s Jeff Zeleny citing the former First Lady’s advisors.

Other politicians in attendance included Canada’s recently resigned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as Vice President-elect JD Vance.

During the funeral, President Gerald Ford‘s son Steven Ford spoke about how his father and Carter, having been good friends during their lifetimes, had agreed to write and deliver the other’s eulogy. But with Ford’s passing in 2006, his son stood in for his father, fulfilling his promise to read the late president’s eulogy on his behalf.  

“By fate of a brief season, Jimmy Carter and I were rivals,” the youngest Ford son read. “But for many of the wonderful years that followed, friendship bonded us as no two presidents since John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.”

He continued, reading his father’s words, “According to a map, it’s a long way between Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Plains, Georgia. But distances have a way of vanishing when measured in values, rather than miles. And it was because of our shared values, that Jimmy and I respected each other as adversaries, even before we cherished one another as dear friends.”

For a closer look at the attendees of President Carter’s funeral, keep reading.