Fox News host Will Cain criticized President Joe Biden for commenting on President-elect Donald Trump’s decency in light of former President Jimmy Carter’s passing. Cain said that Biden has no “standing” to claim Trump lacks Carter’s “decency.”
Carter, who passed away at 100, spent his last year in hospice care. Biden mourned Carter’s death, calling him a model of “decency.” But when a reporter asked Biden what Trump could learn from Carter, Cain accused Biden of using Carter’s character as a political tool.
“On the note of Joe Biden, I’ll accept the message without accepting the messenger,” Cain said. “I accept that Jimmy Carter was an example of decency. But I don’t want to hear that from Joe Biden when he’s using it to suggest Trump is indecent.”
Cain continued, “That was in response to a question about Donald Trump, and I believe Biden invoked decency. I don’t think Biden has the standing to testify to somebody’s decency, quite honestly.” He acknowledged Carter’s decency but questioned Biden’s right to speak on the subject.
Biden praised Carter’s “character, faith, and humility,” saying America would benefit if people were more like him. When asked if Trump could learn from Carter, Biden emphasized the importance of “decency.”
“Decency. Decency. Decency. Everybody deserves a shot. Everybody,” Biden said. “Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking by someone that needs something and just keeps walking? Can you imagine Jimmy Carter referring to someone by the way they look or how they talk? I can’t. I can’t.”
In response, Trump posted on Truth Social, saying Carter should be owed “a debt of gratitude” for his contributions to the country. He praised Carter for facing challenges that shaped the nation.
“The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country,” Trump wrote. “He did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
Trump and his wife, Melania, sent their condolences to the Carter family, urging everyone to keep them in their prayers.
Carter served as the 39th president, defeating Gerald Ford and losing to Ronald Reagan in 1980. He also served as Georgia’s governor from 1971 to 1975.
In his final years, Carter faced health challenges, including cancer and a brain bleed. He entered hospice care in February 2023 after multiple hospital visits.