President Jimmy Carter passed away at his home in Georgia on Sunday. He lived to 100 years old, the oldest any former president has ever lived. His beloved wife Rosalynn Carter passed away in November 2023, and President Carter basically held on throughout this year so he could cast his vote for Kamala Harris. Now that Carter has passed away within weeks of the inauguration, that means all federal buildings will be flying their flags at half-mast when that ugly orange man is sworn in. Which is fitting. It’s also fitting that President Carter adiosed out of the sh-tshow that will be 2025 and the second Donald Trump administration.
Former President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday at his home in Plains, Ga., after deciding nearly two years ago to forgo further medical care following a series of medical crises, according to two people close to the family and The Carter Center, the nonprofit he and his wife founded.
At 100, he was the longest-lived president in American history and became known as much for his post-presidential diplomacy and charitable works as for his single, economically turbulent term in office.
Tributes poured in on Sunday from his White House successors, including President Biden, who said in a statement that “America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.” President-elect Donald J. Trump said in a statement that Mr. Carter “did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
Mr. Carter, a peanut farmer and former Naval officer who served aboard submarines and studied nuclear physics, was elected governor of Georgia as a Democrat in 1970. With a promise never to lie to the American public, Mr. Carter positioned himself as the reformist antidote to an era of deep political mistrust after Watergate and the Vietnam War and won the presidency in 1976.
He presided over four tumultuous years plagued by long gas lines, high inflation and the Iran hostage crisis. But he also signed a strategic arms limitation agreement with the Soviet Union and helped forge the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel. Mr. Carter cemented his legacy with a deeper engagement in public affairs than any other former president of modern times and was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.
Chip Carter, the former president’s son, said in a statement his father was a hero to “everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” He added, “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
He was a very spiritual man, a mensch among men, a humanitarian and a blessed peacemaker. I’m not sure what I believe at this point, but I hope he’s reunited with Rosalynn and that he watches over all of us.
When I look at Jimmy Carter, I see a man not only for our times, but for all times. A man who embodied the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away.
And while we may never see his likes again, we would all do well to try to be a little more like Jimmy Carter. pic.twitter.com/I0xDM05xmH
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 30, 2024
Over six decades, Jill and I had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend.
But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. pic.twitter.com/irknhZ6CJY
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 29, 2024
I kept changing my mind which Jimmy Carter cartoon i should go with. Here's all three. pic.twitter.com/SxYD0YmCdZ
— mike luckovich (@mluckovichajc) December 29, 2024
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
-
- MusiCares Person Of The Year Tribute To Bob Dylan,Image: 217621373, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Jimmy Carter,Rosalynn Carter, Credit line: FayesVision/Wenn/Avalon
-
- Former President Jimmy Carter at a book signing for his new book ”Faith: A Journey For All” at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan. New York City, New York – Monday March 26, 2018.,Image: 509623752, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dennis Van Tine / Avalon
-
- Former President Jimmy Carter at a book signing for his new book ”Faith: A Journey For All” at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan. New York City, New York – Monday March 26, 2018.,Image: 509623801, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dennis Van Tine / Avalon
-
- Jimmy Carter at in-store appearance for Jimmy Carter Book Signing for ‘A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety’, Barnes and Noble Book Store, New York, NY July 7, 2015,Image: 515794469, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dennis Van Tine / Avalon
-
- FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER AT THE OPENING NIGHT OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD AT THE FLEET CENTER. BOSTON, MA. 26 JULY 2004. PICTURES DENNIS VAN TINE,Image: 549051297, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dennis Van Tine/Avalon/Avalon
-
- US president Jimmy Carter with his wife Rosalynn Carter born 1927. Jimmy Carter Jr. born October 1, 1924, Copyright: xUnitedxArchivesx/xWorldxHistoryxArchivex WHA_098_0884 ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCH TZT,Image: 846244558, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/United Archives / WHA/Avalon/Avalon
A truly inspirational man. So many accomplishments. And he never stopped giving back and contributing to make the world a better place. I was privileged to be at a conference where he gave the keynote address. I will always remember that speech
Vale President Carter. Truly one of the best people that humanity has to offer.
He spent last year in hospice, so I’m grateful he’s no longer suffering. And I’m still sad at having to say a necessary and inevitable goodbye. His presidency to me was in history books, but I was very much present for his diplomacy, peace efforts, and Habitat for Humanity. It’s really rate that someone gives their life to public service in order to help create a better world like Jimmy Carter did. Truly a great environmentalist, pacifist, and humanitarian.
He’d been in hospice since February 2023! That is crazy. What a strong heart and body he had.
Honored to have met him.
May this great man rest in peace.
And he just made sure Biden is the one to oversee his memorial services
Exquisite timing to be sure. All of these tributes to Jimmy offer such a stark contrast to what is about to befall us. Truly going from the sublime to the ridiculous. May he rest in power with his beloved wife, Rosalynn.
Yes just in the nick of time so his funeral won’t be a disgrace.
RIP President Carter. 🙏😢 The world, already so much darker since Nov 5, is now dimmer still without his light. I am truly and deeply saddened today.
I love those cartoons in honor of President Carter. He represented us so beautifully to the world and always saw himself as an ever humble servant and helper to others. I truly believe that he and his beloved wife are reunited. Farewell.
His best work was after he left the Presidency.
Calling him the worst president is perpetuating a Republican lie. I was in junior high during his presidency and grew up in the Washington, D.C., area. I remember it well, including the lies and underhanded tactics of the Republicans. Let’s not forget that Gerald Ford became president because of Watergate and Nixon’s resignation. When Ford pardoned Nixon, the country decided it had enough and elected Carter.
President Carter was intelligent and highly effective at passing legislation, thanks to his partnership with Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, despite opposition from Teddy “Chappaquiddick” Kennedy and Republicans desperate to recover from the disgrace of Watergate.
Reagan, on the other hand, was disastrous—not only as a president (trickledown economics anyone?) but also as a human being and leader (racist hack). Don’t even get me started on Nancy “Just Say No” Reagan. The election of Trump feels like history repeating itself, and I’m baffled as to why this parallel isn’t being discussed.
Every presidency should be critiqued, but from the start the establishment Dems, the Rs and the DC press looked down on him as a toothy “peanut farmer,” rather than a Navy Lt who risked his life and health to stop a nuclear meltdown.
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2023/0221/Profile-in-courage-When-Jimmy-Carter-helped-save-a-nuclear-reactor
As a teenager I was baffled by the constant mocking – his attempts to talk directly to us about the energy crisis, that he sometimes wore cardigans (omg!) in the White House – partly to model setting the thermostat slightly lower to conserve energy, his installation of ‘tacky’ solar panels on the roof (which Reagan proudly removed), his more relaxed approach to entertaining dignitaries, his earnest Christian faith … they took every opportunity to peg him as an unsophisticated hick.
It has come out that the R’s sabotaged his efforts to release American hostages (treason) in order to hurt his reelection chances.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/new-claim-about-iran-hostage-crisis-sabotage-may-change-narrative-of-carter-presidency
I didn’t know much about politics/world events back then but I admired him. My admiration grew after he left office.
RIP, President Carter.
As an American I am heartbroken. He has given his life in service pre and post presidency. Flags on federal buildings will fly at half staff for 30 days according to federal law. The news just announced the state funeral for Pres. Carter will be held on Jan 9th, where Biden has declared it a national day of mourning. Rest in peace Mr. President.
The world mourns a good man, a great man. RIP President Carter
He was a man of faith. God did humanity a solid by having the flag in mourning as the harbinger of The End takes office. Thank you for everything, President Carter.
Some sort of sign that the president who knew how to behave the most decently as a human being dies just before the one who has no clue how to be decent steps in?
Agreed, I am so glad this amazing man doesn’t have to suffer with Trump Presiding as President at his funeral.
Carter was a good person in many ways, including his vehement support for women’s rights and gay rights.
I voted for Jimmy in my elementary school’s mock election and have voted straight blue ever since. Such a selfless wonderful human being. RIP Mr. President
OMG, same for me. I vividly remember a mild-mannered classmate rabidly screaming “Reagan!” at us and thinking, “I want no part of whatever THAT is.”
Me too!! I was in 4th grade. He won in our school and I was devastated and confused when Reagan won the election (I grew up in a college town, we were an oasis of blue among a sea of red and I had no idea).
RIP Mr. President. My first thought was, “thank goodness he doesn’t have to put up with even a moment of the second fiasco.”
Rest in Peace. A great man, a wonderful humanitarian, but most of all a good man. I hope he is reunited with his wife. What a legacy he left with his life.
I’m not an American but I am a great admirer of Carter and what strikes me besides his great life of service is how rare it is for good people to reach the highest political offices.
My prayers to his family during this difficult time.
I was only 6 yrs old but remember when he was president. He was viral before that even existed. He could have become bitter and mad at the country. Or he could have made a fortune giving speeches and shaking hands. But, no, that’s not Jimmy. Instead he continued to help us with his diplomacy and service. RIP President Carter. You truly earned that title.
He was the Mr. Rogers of presidents, what an extraordinary American. May President Carter rest in power. His legacy is secure.
He was a great man. I feel we would have been a better nation if he had a second term.
Reagan was the beginning of the end of the middle class.
Rest in Peace Jimmy 💗
I don’t think I’ve cried like this since the election. I knew he wasn’t going to be here forever, but he was the epitome of a decent human being and today is a darker day because he is gone. I’m thankful that President Biden will be presiding over the country when we all say goodbye to him. RIP President Carter.
True dat!
A man who lived his faith.
Recall he put solar panels on the White House roof—something Regan promptly removed. What would this world be like had he won a second term.
Rest in peace, President Carter, and thank you.
I loved that man. National and Global Treasure.
The highest compliment I can give anyone is that they are a truly decent human being. He was the epitome of a truly decent human being. His death is a great loss.
R.I.P. President Carter.
RIP President Carter. One of history’s most incredible human beings. We are all better for the 100 years your spirit brought to our world. May he rest.
I was 19 in 1976 and the 26th Amendment allowed me to cast my first vote for Jimmy Carter (I still have the campaign pin). He visited St. Louis during a street festival (Missouri was a swing state back in those days) and I snuck in with members of the press so I could shake his hand. From those days to this day, a more honorable man I cannot imagine. So many talk the talk but so few walk the walk. Jimmy Carter lived his honor every day. I am so proud to have shared this planet with such a man.
Truly a decent human being. RIP
He was a thoroughly decent and wise man. His post-presidential work was incredible.
I’m so glad his funeral will be presided over by Biden.
First president I ever voted for. What an example for how to live after presidency. I’m sorry he had to see trump elected, but he gave it his all.
A great man. One of the best Presidents ever. Rest in peace, sir…
Rest in peace, Mr President
As a child growing up in Georgia, I remember going to the airport when he came back from DC. I admired his quiet determination to make the world a better place. He didn’t need an office, title or praise: he just did what he thought was right. We were lucky to have him as long as we did. RIP Jimmy.
I knew very little about politics back then but even I could tell republicans were sabotaging Jimmy Carter. I’m so glad he found his purpose away from politics! What a great man.
He was the only TRULY DECENT Man who was President in my lifetime (60 years).. He didn’t just talk the talk, he LIVED the talk. I am an atheist, and today I salute a man of unshakeable faith and zero hypocrisy. RESPECT. Godspeed, Sir, and I truly hope that the heaven you envisioned for yourself is where you are now. Thank you for a lifetime of demonstrable SERVICE.
Godspeed, Mr. President.