A conversation between former US President Barack Obama and newly elected President Donald Trump, two political rivals, during the state funeral of ex-President Jimmy Carter has gone viral. Lip readers and pundits have tried to decipher what Trump and Obama were talking about.
Sitting in the second row, Trump and Obama sat next to each other and discussed something. Trump says something to Obama, who laughs and responds. What’s even more interesting is that Vice President Kamala Harris, who was endorsed by Obama during the presidential campaign, sat in front of the presidents and watched them have a conversation.
What do lip readers claim?
Trump: I withdrew from that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that?”
Trump: “…and then I will.”
Trump: “Call me in the foy afterwards, yes.”
Obama: “Can you just… it should be fine.”
Trump: “I can’t talk, we need to find a quiet place. This is an important issue and we need to do this outside so that we can certainly deal with it today.
NEW: Trump told Obama to find a quiet place to talk to him about an urgent “important matter,” according to the New York Post.
The revelation was made by forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman.
Trump: “I withdrew from that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine… pic.twitter.com/BxSrm8XLBH
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 9, 2025
The British news website Sky News deciphered the conversation between Trump and Obama and posted a video on X.
Barack Obama and Donald Trump were spotted chatting at Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
Here’s what a lip reader might make of their conversation. Do you agree? 💬🗨 pic.twitter.com/1uz014XNYX
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 9, 2025
NDTV cannot independently verify the lip readers’ claims.
The New York Post quoted a forensic lip reader, Jeremy Freeman, as saying in his report, “Trump warned Obama that later in the day they would have to find a quiet place to discuss an “important issue.”
Photo credit: AFP
The context of the conversation is unclear. But Freeman suggests that the ex-president and the newly elected president discussed international agreements at Jimmy Carter’s funeral
Trump leaned toward Obama and said, “I backed out of that.” It’s the circumstances. Can you imagine that?’
Freeman suggests the two leaders are talking about the 2015 Iran nuclear deal signed by Obama and then Trump withdrew from it in 2018.
The funeral brought a brief moment of unity to a divided America, with five presidents – George Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump – coming together to pay their respects to President Carter.
Archrivals
In 2016, Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States, taking over from Barack Obama after the defeat of Hilary Clinton. Four years later, Trump was out of office and Joe Biden came to power. Four years later, Trump is back in power and will be sworn in on January 20.
During the election campaign, Obama criticized Donald Trump, saying the Republican candidate only cares about “his ego, money and status.”
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Donald Trump is a 78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problem since he rode down that golden escalator nine years ago. He complains all the time, and when He’s not complaining, he’s trying to sell you stuff,” he said.
From personal attacks to criticism of the Biden administration’s policies, Trump’s campaign, backed by the richest man in the world – Elon Musk – knew no bounds.
The Obamas worked together to support Kamala Harris, but the vice president lost the election after a landslide victory for Trump, who won all seven swing states.