Awkward: silence and straight-ahead stares as the Trumps, Obamas and Clintons share a pew at George H.W. Bush’s state funeral
- The funeral was the first time that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been together since his inauguration last year
US President Donald Trump stared straight ahead. Former President Bill Clinton scanned the program. Former President Jimmy Carter checked his watch.
The atmosphere at the funeral of George H.W. Bush on Wednesday was noticeably chilly as the current president had a rare meeting with his predecessors. Trump shook hands with Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, did not engage with Bill or Hillary Clinton, and promptly took his seat at the end of the row.
As Trump arrived, Hillary Clinton – his 2016 opponent, and the subject of the president’s continuing taunts – did not glance his way.
The funeral at the Washington National Cathedral brought together the current and all former living presidents.
All but former President George W. Bush sat with their spouses together in a front row. Before Trump’s arrival, they chatted amicably.
It was Bush, who sat with other family member at his father’s funeral, who appeared to break the solemnity, offering gregarious handshakes to Trump and all of the former presidents and their spouses. He also handed what appeared to be a piece of candy to Michelle Obama, in what has become a tradition between the two.
