The interactions between President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and their respective spouses at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral have sparked considerable attention, with CNN’s Jake Tapper describing the exchange as “not particularly warm.” The gathering at the Washington National Cathedral, meant to honor Carter’s legacy, also provided a glimpse into the dynamics between the administration’s top leaders.
Captured on camera, the moment lacked the usual warmth and camaraderie often displayed between the first and second families. Tapper, speaking during a CNN broadcast, pointed out the noticeable absence of eye contact or handshakes between President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Harris, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. He remarked, “You didn’t see a particularly warm greeting between the first couple and the second couple. But again, we are at a funeral, so one has to take that into account when trying to read the body language.”