Why George W. Bush's Belly Tap of Barack Obama Is Going Viral

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Jimmy Carter’s Funeral: Donald Trump, Barack Obama & More Leaders Attend

George W. Bush is giving a new meaning to the presidential hello.

The former president was one of several U.S. leaders who attended the funeral of Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9, and folks could not get enough of the moment he shared with Barack Obama.

As he entered the cathedral for the services, Bush—who was joined by wife Laura Bush—went to take his seat next to Obama, who was already seated beside President-Elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump.

As the Bushes walked by, Obama stood to let them pass, leading to the moment where President Bush gave Obama a friendly tap on the belly with his hand before sitting down.

The interaction quickly went viral, with many delighted by the relationship between the Bushes and the Obamas.

“The belly tap is remarkable,” one user posted to X, formerly Twitter. Another joked, “I have just watched this 100 times without blinking.”

Another person imagined his own version of the greeting, writing, “Definitely called him ‘Slim’ or ‘Big Dog’ at the same time.”

And one user quipped, “The unofficial dude greeting progression: Handshake > High Five > Fist Pound > High Five Hug > Shadow Sparring > Belly Tap (eg. Bush and Obama)."

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The moment also called to mind a similar viral interaction that Bush previously shared with Michelle Obama—who unfortunately had to miss the Carter funeral due to a scheduling conflict.

In 2018, Bush and the former First Lady had the internet laughing when he slipped her a piece of candy at the funeral of former senator John McCain. The duo recreated the moment a few months later when he offered her another piece of candy at the funeral of his father, former president George H. W. Bush.

Aside from the viral moment between the former presidents, Carter’s funeral—which was also attended by President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff—featured several tear-jerking points, including a eulogy written for Carter by Gerald Ford, which was read by the late president’s son Steven Ford.

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

Ford’s eulogy praised the now deceased politician, saying in conclusion, “As for myself, Jimmy, I'm looking forward to our reunion. We have much to catch up on. Thank you, Mr. President. Welcome home old friend.”

For a look at more moments from President Carter’s funeral, keep reading.

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Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

The leaders formed a united front to pay their respects to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who died in late December at the age of 100.

Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images

Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

Carter's service marked the first time that all five living presidents—Biden, Trump, Obama, Clinton and Bush—gathered together since George H. W. Bush's funeral in Dec. 2018.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

Barack Obama & Donald Trump

Obama, who was without wife Michelle Obama, sat alongside Trump ahead of the president-elect's Jan. 20 inauguration.

Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images

JD Vance

The vice-president elect, who will formally step into his new leadership role later this month, was also among the attendees.

Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images

Justin Trudeau & Prince Edward

Canada's prime minister, who recently announced his plan to resign, was seated alongside King Charles III's brother.

Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images

Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Barack Obama, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

The political leaders stood in honor of Carter at the Washington National Cathedral.