2024-10-03 09:40:03
Former President Donald Trump mocked former President Jimmy Carter on his 100th birthday during a Tuesday campaign event in Wisconsin.
Carter, a Democrat who served as president from 1977 to 1981, became the first former president to turn 100 on Tuesday, prompting both Democrats and Republicans to honor to only his time in office but his post-presidential humanitarian work.
Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, took a dig at Carter while campaigning in Waunakee, Wisconsin, saying he is considered “brilliant” in comparison to President Joe Biden, who Trump frequently characterizes as the worst president in U.S. history.
“I mean, Jimmy Carter didn’t let 21 million people come into our country without checks, without balance, without anything from parts unknown,” Trump said.
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Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment via email.
As president, Carter focused on human rights and energy reform. After his presidency, he worked on humanitarian efforts, founding The Carter Center with his wife former first lady Rosalynn Carter in 1982. He also worked on building homes for Habitat for Humanity, which built 30 new homes in St. Paul, Minnesota to celebrate his legacy.
Other high-profile politicians paid tribute to Carter on his birthday.
Biden, who is not running for re-election, praised Carter as “a moral force for our nation and the world” in a video commemorating his birthday.
“I recognized that as a young senator. That’s why I supported you so early. You’re a voice of courage, conviction, compassion, and most of all, a beloved friend of Jill and me and our family,” Biden said.
Biden praised Carter’s “hopeful vision of our country,” commitment to “a better world” and “unwavering belief in the power of human goodness continues to be a guiding light for all of us.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, also released a video message honoring Carter on his birthday.
“Happy birthday President Carter. The world is so much better because of your leadership, your work, your commitment to peace, to decency, to democracy,” Harris said. “I just wish you the happiest, happiest birthday. Thank you for everything you are, everything you mean to the country, everything you mean to the world.”
Former President Barack Obama released a video message praising his “incredible impact since leaving office” and “fundamental decency.”
“Jimmy, thank you for your friendship, your example and for always finding new ways to remind us that we are all created in God’s image,” he said.
Former President George W. Bush said in his message to Carter, “You’ve had a heck of a life and you’re surrounded by people who love you. May God bless you in your final years. May you have peace of mind and peace in your heart.
