It’s not every day you hear that Donald Trump invited Barack Obama to play golf—at a funeral, no less.
But that’s exactly what happened earlier this year during the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, according to a revealing new political book titled “2024” by journalists Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf.
The two former presidents, often seen as political adversaries, found themselves seated side by side inside the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
But instead of cold stares or awkward silence, they apparently shared a lighthearted and surprisingly friendly exchange.
Trump Tries to Sell Obama on a Tee Time
As strange as it sounds, Trump reportedly leaned over to Obama and suggested they hit the golf course together sometime.
According to the authors, Trump even tried to sweeten the deal by describing the luxurious golf courses he owns across the globe—from the U.S. to Scotland, Ireland, and even the UAE.
With a total of 15 golf properties worldwide, Trump’s pitch may have sounded more like a business proposal than a casual invite.
But what’s unclear is whether that viral moment—where Obama was seen laughing—was sparked by the golf offer or another part of their chat.
“They Look Like They Like Each Other”
What really threw people off was just how cordial the two seemed.
At one point, Trump himself even commented on the footage later, saying, “Boy, they look like two people that like each other,” when he saw it replayed on TV.
This was a striking contrast to their famously rocky past.
After all, Trump was the driving force behind the “birther” conspiracy theory that falsely claimed Obama wasn’t born in the U.S. And yet, here they were, sharing laughs in public like old friends.
A Far Cry from 2018
This wasn’t the first time the two had attended a presidential funeral together—but it was a very different vibe than their last joint appearance at George H.W. Bush’s funeral in 2018.
Back then, they didn’t even sit next to each other.
Melania Trump was placed between them, and there were no such smiles exchanged.
But at Carter’s memorial in January, Melania was seated to Trump’s left, leaving Obama directly to his right.
Michelle Obama was notably absent from the event.
What Were They Really Talking About?
According to forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman, the conversation between Trump and Obama wasn’t just small talk.
Freeman claims they discussed the idea of finding a “quiet place” to have a more private chat after the service.
What exactly they wanted to talk about remains a mystery.
This kind of side-conversation isn’t totally unprecedented.
The last private, known conversation between them took place right after Trump won the 2016 election.
During that meeting at the White House, Obama reportedly warned Trump that North Korea posed the most serious threat to U.S. national security.
The Setting: Honoring Jimmy Carter
The whole scene played out during the funeral for Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
The service gathered political leaders past and present.
President Joe Biden, who had supported Carter early in his political career, delivered a heartfelt eulogy.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris was seated just in front of Trump and Obama.
At one point, she glanced back at their chat, sighed, and turned away—clearly intrigued or possibly exasperated by the odd pairing behind her.
An Unexpected Moment of Civility
While the encounter between Trump and Obama may have raised eyebrows, it also served as a rare glimpse of civility between two fierce political opponents.
Whether the golf game ever happens is anyone’s guess—but for a few moments in January, it looked like even bitter rivals could share a laugh over 18 holes.