The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Stephen A's Take: Trump and Obama sat next to each other at Carter's funeral and grabbed the spotlight. Release Date: January 14, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into a poignant moment in recent political history: the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. The event, marked by the presence of both former President Barack Obama and then-President Donald Trump, sparked widespread discussion and analysis. This episode unpacks the interactions between these two prominent figures and explores the broader implications for political decorum and relationships between past and current administrations.

Event Overview

The discussion begins with a Political Commentator setting the stage for the conversation. [01:02] He highlights the significance of the funeral attended by five living presidents, notably emphasizing the unexpected camaraderie between Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Political Commentator (01:02): "I want to take some time to get into some politics and chatter about what we saw last week during the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. There were five living presidents in attendance to honor Carter, including Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump."

Analyzing the Interaction Between Obama and Trump

Charlemagne Tha God provides his immediate reaction to the interaction between Obama and Trump, commenting on their apparent friendliness.

Charlemagne Tha God (01:19): "Here's what Trump said in regards to his apparent friendly exchange between himself and former President Barack Obama. Because, you know, you saw them together sitting next to another, yucking it up, smiling, you know, laughing, having a good time, that kind of thing."

The Political Commentator relays Trump's own words regarding their interaction.

Political Commentator (01:36): "Quote, I didn't realize how friendly it looked."

Charlemagne Tha God (01:42): "And then while watching the video, he continued by saying, boy, they look like two people that like each other."

Criticism of Obama’s Past Remarks

The conversation shifts to the criticism aimed at former President Obama concerning his interactions with Trump. Charlemagne Tha God brings up various accusations and past statements made by Obama.

Charlemagne Tha God (02:55): "Charlemagne Agard accused former President Obama of, quote, kissing the ring, and pointed out that Obama once called Trump a threat to democracy."

He further mentions media commentary, including Don Lemon's response on his show.

Charlemagne Tha God (02:55): "And of course, we heard Don Lemon going off about it as well on his show over on X."

Debate on Political Decorum and Relationships

The Political Commentator emphasizes the importance of civility and the nature of relationships between former and current presidents.

Political Commentator (02:55): "Civility is the order of the day. These are two, you know, one's a former president, one's the president-elect. And so there is a relationship to some degree that, you know, everybody should have. We get that."

Charlemagne Tha God counters by reflecting on the nature of political rhetoric and public perception.

Charlemagne Tha God (03:31): "But in the end it just shows how we should be very selfish in our thinking in terms of us and what's in the best interest of the country as opposed to listening to what the hell these politicians say. Cuz we just can't trust them."

Immigration Policies: Obama vs. Trump

A substantial portion of the discussion focuses on the contrasting immigration policies of Obama and Trump. Charlemagne Tha God defends Obama’s record, challenging Trump's claims about border security and immigration.

Charlemagne Tha God (04:03): "Obama deported more, sent more back than Trump did. He just didn't advertise it. So when Trump talks about closing the borders and not allowing over 14 million legal immigrants into the country and stuff like that, Obama just didn't advertise it, but he damn sure did it."

He continues to highlight Obama's proactive stance on illegal immigration, contrasting it with Trump's approach.

Charlemagne Tha God (04:03): "He made sure it didn't happen. It was the antithesis of what Joe Biden did. Joe Biden ordered to open the borders, didn't give any kind of explanation whatsoever. Obama was considered the deporter in chief."

The Importance of Decorum at State Events

Both speakers agree on the importance of maintaining decorum during state events, such as funerals, regardless of personal or political differences.

Charlemagne Tha God (05:00): "I think class and decorum is the order of the day, especially at a funeral, let alone a funeral with one of the former presidents of the United States. I don't think that's a time for vitriol. I don't think that's the time for insults. That's a soft, that's a time for cantankerous or abrasive behavior or anything. That's not the place."

Concluding Thoughts

The episode concludes with Charlemagne Tha God acknowledging that while the interaction between Obama and Trump might not have been the most polished, it wasn't a significant issue in the grand scheme of political discourse.

Charlemagne Tha God (06:23): "I just think that in light of all that was said about him leading up to the election, I go as far as to say it wasn't a good look. But that's all I'm gonna say. It ain't the end of the world. It really, really isn't."

Conclusion

Stephen A. Smith's exploration of Obama and Trump's presence at Jimmy Carter's funeral offers a nuanced view of political relationships and the importance of maintaining respect during significant state events. The conversation underscores the complexities of political rhetoric, past criticisms, and the enduring need for civility among America's leaders. Listeners are left with a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between personal interactions and public perceptions in the realm of politics.

Notable Quotes:

• "I didn't realize how friendly it looked." — Donald Trump ([01:36])
• "Civility is the order of the day." — Political Commentator ([02:55])
• "I think class and decorum is the order of the day, especially at a funeral." — Charlemagne Tha God ([05:00])
• "It wasn't a good look." — Charlemagne Tha God ([06:23])

This episode provides listeners with a comprehensive analysis of a noteworthy moment in political history, offering insights into the dynamics between former and current presidents and the broader implications for political discourse and decorum.