Donald Trump invited Barack Obama to play golf at his courses at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, new book reveals

Donald Trump invited Barack Obama to play golf at his courses at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, new book reveals
US President Donald Trump speaks with former US President Barack Obama during the state funeral for former US President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump and Barack Obama, longtime political adversaries, shared a surprisingly cordial moment during the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter in January 2025.

The pair was seated side by side at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, where onlookers observed the two engaged in light conversation, even laughing, a stark contrast to their usual public hostility.

According to details from the forthcoming book '2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America', Trump took the opportunity to extend a rather unexpected invitation to Obama: a game of golf.

Former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump speak together ahead of the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden declared today a national day of mourning for Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Ricky Carioti - Pool/Getty Images)
Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump speak together ahead of the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C (Ricky Carioti - Pool/Getty Images)

Donald Trump invited Barack Obama to play golf during Jimmy Carter's funeral

As described in the book by reporters Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf, Donald Trump attempted to break the ice by encouraging Barack Obama to join him for a round of golf.

He “enticed him with descriptions of Trump’s courses around the world,” including his properties in the US, Scotland, Ireland, and the UAE. The moment may have coincided with a viral video showing Obama chuckling at something Trump said, footage that later sparked speculation online about what was said between the two.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks with former U.S. President Barack Obama as Melania Trump looks on during the state funeral for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden declared today a national day of mourning for Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump speaks with former US President Barack Obama as Melania Trump looks on during the state funeral for former US President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump later acknowledged the friendly optics of their exchange, telling reporters, “It did look very friendly, I must say... I saw it on your wonderful network... and I said, 'Boy, they look like two people that like each other.'”

It remains unclear whether Obama gave a definitive response, but no golf game has taken place to date. Sources familiar with the interaction suggest Obama politely deflected the offer without committing either way.

BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY - JULY 28: Former U.S. President Donald Trump plays his shot from the 14th tee during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational - Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 28, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
 US President Donald Trump plays his shot from the 14th tee during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational - Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 28, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

A rare glimpse of civility between former rivals

This brief moment of levity stood in stark contrast to their cold demeanor at the funeral of former President George HW Bush in 2018, where the two men avoided direct interaction and were seated apart. This time, Trump sat to Obama’s right, with Melania Trump on his left. Michelle Obama did not attend the service.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama (L) speaks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump following the state funeral for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden declared today a national day of mourning for Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Former US President Barack Obama speaks with US President Donald Trump following the state funeral for former US President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Eyewitnesses noted that at one point, Trump and Obama leaned in closely, prompting then-Vice President Kamala Harris, seated nearby, to glance back at them in surprise. The book also recounts Trump suggesting they find a “quiet place” to speak further after the service.

President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump attend the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden declared today a national day of mourning for Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Ricky Carioti - Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump attend the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, DC  (Ricky Carioti - Pool/Getty Images)

Though their exchange was brief, it gave rise to speculation over whether either man was attempting to project a more bipartisan tone, however temporary.

Internet reacts to Trump-Obama moment at Jimmy Carter's funeral

The unexpected moment of warmth between Trump and Obama at Jimmy Carter’s funeral has ignited a wide range of reactions online, from cautious optimism to hardened cynicism.

One user joked, “Obama would not like to play 47 at golf — much like politics, he would be beaten,” implying that Trump’s invitation may have carried more swagger than sincerity.

Others saw hope in the lighthearted exchange: “If these two men can get along and have a laugh, can’t the rest of us give it a try?” the comment read, reflecting a desire for broader political civility.

But not all reactions were upbeat. Several accused the encounter of being performative or opportunistic. “How pathetic. At Jimmy’s funeral, some punk was more interested in making money by taking pics of a person he doesn’t like,” one user wrote, criticizing the media attention more than the interaction itself.

A more jaded take summed up the moment with: “It’s a big club, and you ain’t in it,” suggesting the exchange was emblematic of elite political theater rather than genuine reconciliation.

Others commented on the transformative nature of the presidency itself. “Once inaugurated, it’s amazing how the title President of the USA fells the toughest trees!” one remark read, nodding to how power can soften even the fiercest critics.

Still, the partisan divide remained apparent in some reactions, such as: “Trump is a darned sight more gracious than Obama,” signaling continued loyalty to one side of the political aisle.

Barack Obama and Donald Trump's rift deepens despite golf invite

Whatever goodwill may have emerged at the funeral appears to have been fleeting. In the months following the event, Trump resumed public criticism of Obama, including removing his portrait from the White House and reigniting conspiratorial attacks tied to QAnon narratives.

U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions during a press conference on recent Supreme Court rulings in the briefing room at the White House on June 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that individual judges cannot grant nationwide injunctions to block executive orders, including the injunction on President Trump’s effort to eliminate birthright citizenship in the U.S. The justices did not rule on Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship but stopped his order from taking effect for 30 days. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump answers questions during a press conference on recent Supreme Court rulings in the briefing room at the White House on June 27, 2025, in Washington, DC (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

He also launched a televised rant against Obama’s presidential library, accusing the former president of unspecified wrongdoing.

Obama, meanwhile, has openly condemned Trump’s return to power. Speaking at a New York rally earlier this year, he warned, “We do not need four years of a wannabe king, a wannabe dictator running around trying to punish his enemies. That’s not what you need in your life. America is ready to turn the page.”

Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the University of Pittsburgh on October 10, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
Former US President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event for former US Vice President Kamala Harris at the University of Pittsburgh on October 10, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

While both presidents have reputations for using golf as a form of diplomacy, Obama has previously played with George W Bush and Bill Clinton; there is no indication he will take Trump up on his offer.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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