"Lip readers, let's go": Memes erupt as internet reacts to viral video of Obama and Trump sitting, laughing together

Ex-USA President Obama and current President-elect Trump recently made the news after they were seen sitting together and laughing in a viral video. This happened as a state funeral was held at the National Cathedral to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

All of the current presidents, including Obama and Trump, attended the ceremony, and a national day of sorrow was observed. The President-elect and the former President sat side by side in the pews during the ceremony. Obama was seen laughing while interacting with Trump.

Following the event, the clip of their interaction was uploaded online by X user @_johnnymaga. Now, once the video went viral, netizens took to the comment section of the X video and expressed their opinion about the same.

One X user said that lip readers need to understand what they were saying.

“LIP READERS LET’S GO THIS IS TRUMP & OBAMA!!!” wrote one X user.

Others talked about how Obama and Trump interacted professionally even though they were political rivals.

“I wonder what Trump said to make Obama laugh???" an X user asked.

“It’s a professional thing .. professionals have to put aside personal feelings. That’s how it works," an X user wrote.

“This is what adults/professionals do,” said another one.

Meanwhile, others complimented Trump and Obama for playing along, and some expressed shock at their cordial exchange.

“That moment definitely catches your attention. Seeing those two share a laugh like that is unexpected," an X user remarked.

“… And that’s not a courtesy chuckle… That’s a GENUINE chuckle. Big difference," another person observed.

“WOW, Obama chuckling at something Trump whispered? That's a moment I never expected to see!” wrote one netizen.

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Obama and Trump were seen laughing together during Jimmy Carter's funeral

All living presidents attended Jimmy Carter's funeral. (Image via Getty Images)

During the 39th US president's memorial service, all living presidents and ex-presidents were seen together. President Biden, former President Bill Clinton, former President George W. Bush, former President Barack Obama, and the current President-elect were present to pay their respect.

Biden, Bush, and Clinton were seen silently contemplating. However, the focus shifted to Trump and Obama's cordial conversation as both shared laughs.

The ceremony began when Carter's casket boarded the Air Force One to leave Joint Base Andrews. His family flew the casket to Carter's hometown of Plains, Georgia, for a private funeral and burial.

After the funeral, Carter's coffin was removed from the cathedral. Prayers were led by Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, and Carter's personal pastor, Rev. Tony Lowden.

Singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed John Lennon's Imagine during the ceremony.

As per ABC27 News' January 9 report, Rev. Andrew Young said that Carter's "ability to achieve greatness by the diversity of his personality and upbringing" was remarkable. He further recalled how Carter went out of his way to "embrace those of us who had grown up in all kinds of conflict."

On the other hand, Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff sat next to Biden and First Lady Jill Biden when they arrived. As per Forbes' report from the same day, referring to his endorsement of Carter's presidential campaign, Biden said:

"We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor and to stand up to what my dad would say is the greatest sin of all: the abuse of power... based on what I believe is Jimmy Carter's enduring attribute: character, character, character."

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In honor of Carter's funeral, Biden further declared Thursday a national day of sorrow.