Former presidents, dignitaries, and family gathered at the Washington (DC) National Cathedral Thursday morning, January 9, 2025, for former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral service. Among the attendees, former First Lady Melania Trump, 54, drew particular attention for her distinctive attire.
The service, which began at 11 a.m., brought together all five living U.S. presidents and their spouses, as well as some vice presidents: Bill and Hillary Clinton, who wore a patriotic bald eagle brooch with the US flag, George W. and Laura Bush, Barack Obama, Joe and Jill Biden, Donald and Melania Trump, Al Gore, Mike and Karen Pence, and Kamala Harris, and Doug Emhoff.
Melania Trump wore a black Valentino trench coat dress with a belted waist featuring an oversized white collar with a unique design – a black-and-white print depicting a 19th-century neoclassical sculpture of kissing lovers among roses and butterflies from Valentino’s fall 2019 collaboration with Undercover. She paired the ensemble with classic black Manolo Blahnik pumps and minimal jewelry.
Social media users on X quickly responded to the unconventional choice. “WTF is Melania wearing… did the nun store have a sale,” posted one user. Another commented, “Melania wearing a pilgrim outfit,” while a third predicted, “Looks like our next four years of ‘What the (expletive) is Melania wearing?’ starts today.” The dramatic collar drew particular attention, with one viewer asking, “Did Melania grab a choir robe on the way into church?” Another questioned, “What’s with the white collar on Melania??? Is she a member of the choir???”
Some users made cultural references, with one noting, “Is it me or is Melania Trump giving us #HandmaidsTale at President Carter’s funeral??” Others focused on the religious connotations of the outfit, with one user writing, “Is Melania trying to look pure as a Puritan in that hideous outfit?
The service featured several notable moments of interaction between political figures. President-elect Donald Trump, wearing a black suit with a blue tie, engaged in an extended conversation with former President Barack Obama. Vice President Kamala Harris, seated directly in front of the Trumps, maintained a forward gaze throughout the service. Karen Pence notably avoided interaction with Donald and Melania Trump, even as her husband, former Vice President Mike Pence, exchanged handshakes with the couple.
Current First Lady Jill Biden attended in a formal black ensemble accented by Dior slingback pumps, while President Joe Biden, 82, delivered one of several eulogies. Other speakers included Steve Ford, Ted Mondale, and Carter’s grandson Jason.
Earlier in the week, as Carter’s body was being transported from the Carter Center in Atlanta to the U.S. Capitol, President-elect Trump had addressed Carter’s legacy at a news conference, specifically criticizing his decision regarding the Panama Canal. “Jimmy Carter gave it to them for $1 and they were supposed to treat us well,” Trump stated. “I thought it was a terrible thing to do. It was the most expensive structure ever built in the history of our country.”
Carter will be laid to rest in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Following the state funeral, his casket was transported to Georgia for burial. He will be interred next to his wife, Rosalynn Carter, at their family residence, part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park.
