Donald Trump and Barack Obama have long represented opposite ends of the political spectrum—and their public exchanges over the years have often reflected that divide. From policy disagreements to sharp public critiques, the relationship between the two former presidents has been anything but warm.
Yet during the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter in early 2024, an unexpected moment occurred that surprised many observers. A new political book titled 2024 by reporters Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf sheds light on what may have been said during that rare face-to-face encounter.
A Long History of Tension
The public tension between Trump and Obama stretches back over a decade. In 2011, Trump became a prominent voice questioning then-President Obama’s U.S. citizenship—an issue that had already been addressed by official records confirming Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1961. Despite this, Trump continued to question the documentation, even suggesting he would send investigators to Hawaii and offering $5 million to charity if he were proven wrong.
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