Jimmy Carter died happy knowing he wasn't the worst: Donald Trump mocks Joe Biden

Donald Trump made the remarks while taking questions from the press during his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House.

Updated on: Apr 18, 2025, 09:18:30 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

US President Donald Trump on Thursday mocked his predecessor Joe Biden, saying that his tenure was so terrible that former president Jimmy Carter “died a happy man” knowing that there was someone “worse” than him.

US President Donald Trump and Joe Biden in Washington. (AFP)

Donald Trump made the remarks while taking questions from the press during his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House.

“And then you had like the last administration (Joe Biden's), the only thing they were good at was cheating in elections,” Trump told reporters. “That‘s about all they could do. They couldn‘t do anything. They were useless. They were incompetent.”

Also Read | Biden slams ‘destructive’ Trump admin in first public speech since office exit, White House takes ‘bedtime jibe’

He added: “Worst administration in the history of our country. Worse than Jimmy Carter. Jimmy Carter died a happy man. You know why? Because he wasn‘t the worst. President Joe Biden was.”

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died last year on December 29 at age 100.

According to The Independent, prior to his death, Trump had long mocked Carter's term in office, calling it the “worst” in history.

Throughout the 2024 campaign, he compared the two Democratic leaders, describing Biden as “the worst” who made Carter look “brilliant”.

Also Read | 'We're in no rush…' says Trump as he holds tariffs talk with Italy PM Meloni

However, following Carter’s death, Trump offered up some fairly gracious words about the former president’s life and time in the White House. He also attended Carter’s funeral along with the other living presidents.

“The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude,” Trump said, according to The Independent.

He added that Carter was a “good man” who was “very consequential, far more than most presidents, after he left the Oval Office.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.