“It Ain’t Always About You, Sir”: Whoopi Goldberg Criticizes Trump for Politicizing Jimmy Carter’s Death Tribute
PHOTO: SEAN ZANNI/PATRICK MCMULLAN VIA GETTY; SCOTT OLSON/GETTY
The hosts of The View took aim at President-elect Donald Trump after he criticized the decision to fly flags at half-staff during his inauguration in honor of the late former President Jimmy Carter. The flags were lowered on January 3, 2024, following Carter’s death on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, with the White House announcing that they would remain at half-staff for 30 days.
Trump, responding on his Truth Social platform, slammed Democrats for being “giddy” about the flags being lowered during his inauguration, accusing them of using the occasion for political gain. “The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration,” Trump wrote.
“They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves.” Whoopi Goldberg quickly responded to Trump’s remarks on The View, calling out the president-elect for politicizing the tribute.
“That was not a choice. This is what happened. So you have to just understand, that this is how life works. It ain’t always about you, sir. It ain’t always about you,” Goldberg said. She further emphasized that Carter’s legacy deserved respect, regardless of differing opinions on his presidency. “Let that flag do what it needs to do and celebrate this man’s life.
That’s my two cents,” Goldberg added. Co-host Ana Navarro, who disagreed with Carter’s foreign policy, nonetheless praised his character and contributions after leaving office. “I’ve always vehemently disagreed with his foreign policy,” Navarro said.
“But, you know, the man has character. And his contributions after office, especially with Habitat for Humanity, are legendary.” Sara Haines offered another perspective, suggesting that Trump might be more concerned about the optics of the situation than the tribute itself.
“Not to make light of this, but I think that he sees the joke in the half-fly — it’s about Jimmy Carter’s passing, and that’s tragic,” Haines said. “There are also 75 million people who voted for Vice President Harris that may also be mourning when he comes into office.”
Carter’s state funeral is scheduled for January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden is expected to deliver one of the eulogies. Trump has confirmed he will attend the ceremony.
