President-designate Donald Trump has stated his intention to be present at the memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter.
When questioned about this as he entered a New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump responded with, "I'll be there." Upon being further questioned regarding whether he had communicated with members of Carter's family, Trump indicated his preference not to disclose that information.
Memorial services commemorating Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100, are scheduled to take place in both Georgia and Washington, commencing on January 4 and concluding on January 9.
During the campaign leading up to November's election, Trump frequently and vehemently criticized Carter, utilizing the escalating inflation rates of the 1970s to draw unfavorable comparisons between President Joe Biden and Carter along with his administration.
However, the president-designate expressed goodwill towards the former president in postings on his social media platform following Carter's passing on Sunday, stating that the nation “owed him a debt of gratitude.”
“While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for,” Trump wrote regarding Carter. “He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect.”
Dressed in a tuxedo upon entering the festivities, Trump engaged with reporters for a brief period, addressing various inquiries. When asked about the potential for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, he merely stated, “We’re going to see what happens."
The president-designate further commented on hostages seized by Hamas over a year ago, stating, “I’ll put it this way: They better let the hostages come back soon."
Trump also conveyed his belief that 2025 would be a “great year” and that "we’re going to do fantastically well as a country.”
“There’s a whole light over the whole world, not just our country. They’re a lot of happy people,” Trump remarked regarding recent weeks.
When questioned about his resolutions for the upcoming year, Trump responded, “I just want everybody to be happy, healthy and well.”
Trump later took to the stage to briefly address the attendees celebrating the arrival of the new year at Mar-a-Lago, promising “to do a great job as your president.”
Biden, on his part, spent New Year’s Eve celebrating the wedding of his niece Missy Owens in Greenville, Delaware, followed by the reception in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Biden and first lady Jill Biden shortened their customary holiday excursion to the U.S. Virgin Islands to be present at the ceremony.