Lip Reader Deciphers Trump and Obama’s Chat at Carter’s Funeral

Former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump were spotted engaging in a seemingly serious yet cordial conversation during the funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday morning. The moment, captured on camera, quickly went viral on social media, with many speculating about the content of their exchange.

Answering the public’s curiosity, the New York Post enlisted forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman, a certified expert witness in lip reading from University College London, to uncover the conversation between the two political figures.

According to Freeman’s analysis, Trump initiated the conversation by leaning toward Obama and stating, “We have to find a quiet place later today to discuss a matter of importance.” This cryptic remark suggested Trump’s desire to address a sensitive topic away from the prying eyes of the public and media.

Freeman’s interpretation revealed that Trump, 78, later commented, “I’ve pulled out of that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that?” This prompted a light chuckle from Obama, 63. While the specific context of “that” remains unclear, the Post speculated that it might refer to an international agreement or policy from Trump’s previous term in office.

As the conversation progressed, Trump reportedly added, “And after, I will,” leaving room for interpretation about what “after” might entail. The two exchanged brief remarks about logistics, with Trump saying, “Call me at the foy after—yep,” likely referencing the National Cathedral’s foyer.

Obama, nodding, responded, “Can you just … it should be good.” Trump then reiterated the need for privacy, stating, “We have to find a quiet place sometime. This is a matter of importance and we need to do this outside so that we can deal with it, certainly, today.” Obama appeared to agree, nodding in acknowledgment.

While the exact subject of the conversation remains unknown, the Post noted that Trump’s comments could relate to issues from his first term, such as the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal or the Paris Climate Agreement—both signature policies of the Obama administration that Trump reversed.

The relationship between Trump and Obama has been publicly fraught for years. Trump frequently accused Obama of orchestrating a federal investigation into his 2016 campaign, referring to it as an illegal spying operation. Trump also habitually emphasizes Obama’s middle name, “Hussein,” in a way critics have called inflammatory.

Obama, for his part, has taken jabs at Trump on several occasions. During the 2020 Democratic National Convention, he mocked Trump’s “obsession with crowd sizes,” using hand gestures to insinuate an insult. In October of the same year, Obama compared Trump’s long speeches to Fidel Castro’s, calling them “just on and on.”

The funeral service for Jimmy Carter drew a host of notable figures, including former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and their respective spouses, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were seated directly in front of Trump and Obama, with Vice President Harris at one point turning around to observe the animated discussion between the two.

First lady-elect Melania Trump was seated beside her husband, maintaining a composed demeanor throughout the event. Michelle Obama, however, was notably absent, with CNN reporting that she had a “scheduling conflict” and remained in Hawaii on an extended holiday vacation.

Other attendees included Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had recently announced his resignation, former Vice President Al Gore, and Hunter Biden, who had recently been pardoned.

Social media erupted with reactions to the conversation between Trump and Obama, with some users speculating that the interaction signaled a thaw in their notoriously strained relationship. Others were quick to suggest that the discussion might pertain to global diplomacy or ongoing political maneuvers.

The presence of a forensic lip reader added a layer of intrigue to the event, as people debated the accuracy of the translation and the potential implications of the exchange.

The interaction between Trump and Obama highlights the continued interplay between past, present, and future administrations in shaping U.S. policy and global relations. While the exact details of their discussion remain speculative, the moment served as a reminder of the weight carried by the words of political leaders, even in informal settings.

As Trump prepares to take office for a second term, the interaction with his predecessor may signify a pivotal moment—or merely a fleeting exchange at a solemn event. For now, the public can only speculate on what lies beneath the surface of their brief but headline-making dialogue.

This unexpected encounter at a presidential funeral underscores the often unpredictable nature of politics, where even solemn occasions can spark curiosity and debate. Whether their conversation holds any lasting significance remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly captured the nation’s attention.