The Different Drummer

A Tale Of Two Presidents

As he prepares for his second inauguration, Trump’s actions in the wake of Carter’s death provided a sharp contrast between the two leaders.

“President Jimmy Carter… was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office.”

– Donald Trump

Despite having been one of the few Presidents to fail in an attempt to get re-elected, Jimmy Carter was perhaps the ultimate example of what a successful post-presidency looks like. Following through with his promise to “not use his subsequent public life to enrich himself,” he returned to his peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. After leaving office, Carter engaged in “building houses [with Habitat for Humanity], eradicating disease, brokering ceasefires, [and] monitoring elections.” His death at the age of 100 during the run-up to Trump’s second inauguration provides a contrast between the two men.

In contrast to Carter’s humility, Trump has complained about the inconvenient timing of Carter’s death will have on his…