Texas Governor Greg Abbott offered cringe-inducing condolences to Jimmy Carter’s family when he accidentally sent prayers to Carter’s late wife Rosalynn.
The Republican governor issued the statement as public figures around the world paid tribute to the former president, who died Sunday at the age of 100 at his home in Plains, Georgia.
“Cecilia and I send our prayers and deepest condolences to First Lady Rosalynn Carter and the entire Carter family,” Abbott said in a statement.
The former first lady, who was married to Carter for 77 years, died in 2023 at the same Georgia home they shared for decades. Carter herself attended her memorial service.
Texas media immediately fetched on the flute.
A later statement corrected the error and sent condolences to the entire Carter family.
The five-term governor has made other mistakes during his term, including one sharing a fake story about a made-up city and fake festival in his own state.
Abbott’s error came in a glowing statement praising the late Democratic president during a rare moment of bipartisan political unity.
That came as fellow Republican Donald Trump also praised Carter despite their long feud and Trump mocking his predecessor’s administration on Carter’s 100th birthday.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott mistakenly sent his condolences to the late first lady Rosalynn Carter in a statement honoring Jimmy Carter following the former president’s death
“Cecilia and I mourn the loss of former President Jimmy Carter, along with millions of Americans across the country,” Abbott’s statement began.
“Our country remains the world’s greatest beacon of freedom and opportunity thanks to our fearless top executives who have been our guiding force in both the best and worst of times. For that, we owe President Carter our enduring gratitude for his service as the 39th President of the United States.
“Having lived a life defined by selfless service to the American people, President Carter leaves behind a great legacy as a husband, father, naval officer, governor and Nobel laureate, and he will be deeply missed by many.”
Abbott is one of many political leaders who have sent kind words to the Carter family
The Texas media picked up on the flub, which the governor’s office corrected
President Joe Biden also praised Carter on Sunday evening, who spoke to reporters for about 10 minutes from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. When he finished speaking, Biden appeared to criticize Trump while praising Carter’s character.
“Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking past someone who needs something and just keeps walking?” Biden asked. “Can you imagine Jimmy Carter referring to someone by the way he looks or the way he talks?”
“I can’t do it, I can’t do it,” Biden said.
“In today’s world, some look at Jimmy Carter and see a man from a bygone era, with honesty and character, faith and humility… But I don’t think that’s a bygone era. I see a man not just of our time, but of all time,” Biden argued.