Moment CNN host stuns panel with rare praise for Trump at Jimmy Carter funeral

CNN anchor Abby Phillip gave newly elected President Donald Trump some rare praise as she covered former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral on Thursday.

Trump, 78, attended the late president’s funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington along with his wife Melania, as well as President Joe Biden and former Presidents Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

He was even spotted chatting with Obama, his former rival.

As the camera panned over all the former commanders-in-chief and their wives, Phillip speculated that they were all thinking about their own demise and eventual state funerals.

“All those guys went through the planning process. All these guys have thought about it,” Phillip suggested.

She then stunningly called Trump “incredibly kind” about Carter after his death at age 100, suggesting his behavior could be due to the fact he survived two assassination attempts.

“I’m thinking especially about President Trump, who I think has surprised a lot of people with the way that — at least his written statements and some of his verbal statements about Jimmy Carter — have been incredibly kind.

“He disagrees with Jimmy Carter on just about everything,” Phillip continued, suggesting that Trump’s experience as president and position as the new president, as well as his assassination attempts, may have contributed to his public comments about the late president.

President-elect Donald Trump attended Jimmy Carter’s state funeral with his wife and other American leaders

She then reiterated that Trump was “incredibly gracious about Jimmy Carter…despite many policy disagreements, including some that he is actively trying to overturn right now.”

Trump had posted a thoughtful message on his Truth Social platform following Carter’s death on December 29.

“The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time in our country, and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans, for which we all owe him a debt of gratitude.” he wrote.

“Melania and I are deeply thinking of the Carter family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”

In another post, Trump acknowledged he had political differences with Carter but still spoke highly of him.

“While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our country and all it stands for.” Trump shared.

“He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my utmost respect.

“He was a truly good man, and he will obviously be greatly missed.”

“He was also very consistent, much more so than most presidents, after he left the Oval Office.”

Those comments were in stark contrast to comments he had made about the 39th president when he was alive.

He once labeled Carter “the worst” president and mocked his administration at an Oct. 1 campaign event in Wisconsin, comparing him to President Joe Biden.

“Jimmy Carter is the luckiest man because Jimmy Carter is considered a brilliant president by comparison. [to Joe Biden]Trump said at the time.