During the funeral service of former President Jimmy Carter, President Joe Biden seemed to nod off, leading to First Lady Jill Biden nudging him awake. The scene, captured by many news outlets, led to public commentary and added to an increasing number of instances where Biden appeared to lose focus during public events and diplomatic meetings.
Shortly after the broadcast, social media reacted swiftly. Posts included one user’s comment that “Biden is taking a nap at Jimmy Carter’s funeral,” accompanied by footage of Biden seemingly resting his eyes. Other users commented similarly, with one humorously suggesting that those who predicted Biden’s nap during the funeral were “winners”.
Former President George W. Bush, who was seated behind Biden, was seen on camera leaning forward several times in what appeared to be attempts to engage Biden and maintain his alertness during the service. Bush’s repeated actions seemed to reflect continued concern throughout the ceremony.
Body language expert Patti Wood offered a different perspective on Biden’s behavior at the funeral. Wood suggested that Biden may have been showing natural signs of mourning for Carter, a longtime friend and colleague, rather than falling asleep. Wood explained that it’s common for people in intense grief or emotional pain to close their eyes as a way to cope, a typical response often seen at funerals.
This incident at the funeral follows a pattern of similar occurrences during important diplomatic events. During a December 2024 summit in Angola, Biden was filmed with his eyes closed for more than a minute while Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango presented on African economic development. Prior to this, Biden had incorrectly referred to the host nation, Angola, as a “vibrant city” instead of a country.
Democratic strategist David Carlucci provided insight into Biden’s seeming fatigue after the Angola incident. Speaking to Sky News host Gabriella Power, Carlucci suggested that Biden’s behavior could be a result of his push to achieve goals in his final presidential weeks. Carlucci defended Biden, stating that one incident should not overshadow his diplomatic accomplishments during the Angola visit, and suggested that Biden might be overworking himself.
Biden has admitted to such challenges himself. During a tense moment in a 2024 presidential debate against Trump, Biden confessed he “nearly fell asleep” on stage, attributing his fatigue to jet lag from extensive international travel. This admission was prompted by viewers noting his struggle to stay engaged during the three-hour event on social media.
However, not all claims about Biden’s alertness have been accurate. In 2023, allegations of him falling asleep during a Maui, Hawaii wildfire memorial were disproved when high-resolution C-SPAN footage showed him coughing and nodding while looking down. This incident underlined the difficulty in differentiating between real lapses and misleading narratives in the era of instant viral content.
The Carter funeral also revealed divisions within America’s political establishment. While Biden struggled to stay alert, other political dynamics were unfolding. First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris noticeably avoided interaction during the service. Harris and her husband made a last-minute seating change to distance themselves from President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump. The absence of former First Lady Michelle Obama, who was on an extended vacation in Hawaii, led to an unexpected seating arrangement that put Barack Obama next to Donald Trump. The two former Presidents were seen in an animated conversation, drawing attention from mourners.
