WASHINGTON: It is the world’s most exclusive society and meetings are limited to infrequent state occasions, but the so-called American Presidents Club was in session on Thursday to see off departed comrade Jimmy Carter.

The five living men who have occupied the White House — Joe Biden and his predecessors Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump — came together at Washington’s National Cathedral for their first encounter since the 2018 funeral of another former president, George H.W. Bush.

The political establishment turned out in force for Thursday’s ceremony, with former vice presidents Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle chatting amiably as the elite leaders group was seated nearby.

It might have been an awkward affair, as Trump has denigrated most of the group in disputes of varying degrees of seriousness — and found himself sitting next to longtime sparring partner Obama.

Trump launched his political career by pushing the racist and false “birther” conspiracy theory that his Democratic predecessor — the first and only Black president — was lying about being a natural born American.

But the pair appeared able to put their differences on hold as television images showed them exchanging cordial small talk, with Obama smiling and laughing.

It was also the first time since the election that Trump had been in the same room as his opponent Kamala Harris — whom he repeatedly accused of being mentally ill — and his first time in four years in close proximity to his estranged vice president, Mike Pence.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025