Speaking to reporters during a family holiday in the US Virgin Islands, the outgoing US president drew sharp contrasts between Carter's character and that of Trump, who is due to begin a second term in January.
When asked if Trump could learn anything from Carter, Biden replied: "Decency. Decency. Decency."
"Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking by someone who needed something and just keep walking?" Biden said. "Can you imagine Jimmy Carter referring to someone by the way they look or the way they talk? I can't."
Biden spoke for nine minutes about Carter, describing him as a humanitarian, a personal friend and a "remarkable leader." He emphasized how Carter's values reflected the US's global standing, saying: "The rest of the world looks to us. And he was worth looking to."
Trump, who has had public disagreements with Carter in the past, struck a more measured tone in his response. He released two statements on Sunday praising Carter as "a truly good man" for whom he had the "highest respect" - and describing him as more consequential than most holders of the Oval Office.
This story is from the December 31, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 31, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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