Donald Trump told Barack Obama he had an urgent secret to share as they sat together at Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
In a stunning turn of events, Trump cryptically said it was important he speak to Obama in private ‘today’ so they could ‘deal’ with something.
Trump suggested they look for a ‘quiet place’ where they could discuss the mystery matter after the service, forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman told DailyMail.com.
It remained unclear whether the crucial information Trump had to tell Obama related to a national security issue, or something else.
But the animated conversation between them left onlookers highly curious as to what they were whispering about.
The two men have castigated each other as visceral political enemies for years.
But they appeared friendly as they sat together in a pew, engaging in a lengthy and warm chat before the service started at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
At one point, Obama put his service sheet in front of his face so his words could not be deciphered.
Former US President Barack Obama speaks with President-elect Donald Trump before the State Funeral Service for former US President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2025
Trump told Obama they needed to discuss something in a ‘quiet place’
But when both men were visible the lip reader was able to make out their comments.
As they greeted each other, Obama said: ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, yeah, fine, fine, fine. Listen to me. It’s a chore, a chore.’
Trump responded: ‘Yeah, right. I can’t think of anything that’s a chore.’
Obama said: ‘Maybe, even the…people, even if they aren’t happy, you will come across it, it’s a chore. Now, they can block the entrance, all right.’
Trump then leaned over toward Obama’s ear and said: ‘I’ve pulled out of that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that?”
Obama laughed, and Trump carried on, saying: ‘And after, I will…’
Later, according to the lip reader, Obama said to Trump: ‘Are you going back to the foy after?’
Trump responded: ‘Call me at the foy after, yep.’
The word ‘foy’ was unclear to the lip reader, but it could have meant they were arranging a later meeting in the ‘foyer’.
Obama also said to Trump: ‘Can you just…it should be good.’
Trump then responded: ‘I can’t talk, we have to find a quiet place, sometimes this is a matter of importance and we need to do this outside so that we can deal with it, certainly, today.’
Obama nodded and both men said ‘right’ and ‘OK’.
Barack Obama and Donald Trump appeared to have settled their differences at the service
President Joe Biden touches the casket of former President Jimmy Carter after delivering remarks during Carter’s state funeral at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington
The two men had a previous private conversation eight years ago, shortly after Trump was elected president in 2016.
Some of that chat at the White House has since come to light, including Obama telling Trump of his deep concerns over North Korea.
At the time, Obama said Pyongyang and its nuclear and missile programs represented the greatest threat to the United States as Trump embarked on his first term.
Their latest conversation came as Carter was celebrated for his personal humility and public service before, during and after his presidency.
All five of his living presidential successors were in attendance.
President Joe Biden, who was the first sitting senator to endorse Carter’s 1976 run for the White House, delivered a eulogy.
Trump had Obama seated to his right, and wife Melania was to his left. Michelle Obama was not at the funeral.
At one point, Kamala Harris, seated in the row in front of Obama and Trump, turned back to look at their conversation, then refaced the front and let out a long sigh.
President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump arrive at the National Cathedra
The presidential hearse carrying the casket of former President Jimmy Carter
However, Biden, 82, who will leave office in 11 days, hinted at politics in repeating several times that ‘character’ was Carter’s chief attribute.
He appeared to make a dig at Trump when he said ‘We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor’ and noted the importance of standing up to ‘abuse in power.’
The comments echoed Biden’s typical criticisms of Trump.
All the former presidents were together in a private room ahead of their entrances into the cathedral.
They also greeted President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden upon their arrival, according to the White House.
President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with former Vice President Mike Pence before the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025
Karen Pence, seated to her husband’s left, did not get up to greet Donald and Melania Trump
Ahead of the service Trump also had a cordial moment with Mike Pence, his former vice president who he pressured to overturn the 2020 election results, and then fell out with spectacularly.
Despite their differences the two men shook hands ahead of Carter’s service.
However, Karen Pence, seated next to her husband, pointedly refused to shake Trump’s hand, remaining in her seat.
She also snubbed Melania Trump, looking away when the incoming first lady arrived and appeared to speak to her.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk