The internet has found an unexpected gift wrapped in history, courtesy of Jimmy Carter’s passing. And the timing? Well, it’s giving people more than a few reasons to smile.
Carter, the former president who passed away at 100 on Sunday, has seemingly delivered a final punch to Donald Trump as the former president-elect prepares for his inauguration next month. When Carter died, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation ordering U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days in honor of the former president—a tradition when a former commander-in-chief passes.
Here’s where it gets interesting: The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on January 28. That’s right, the very same week that Trump swears in on January 20, marking the official start of his second term.
Now, half-mast on inauguration day? That’s no everyday occurrence. While it’s a somber and respectful tradition to honor presidents who’ve passed, social media has had a field day, drawing attention to what some are calling Carter’s “final gift” to Trump. One user tweeted, “One last gift from Jimmy Carter—flags at half-staff on Inauguration Day,” while another cheekily added, “Thank you for your final act of service, President Carter.”
Carter, no fan of Trump, once called him a “disaster,” and this gesture seems to be sending its own political message. Social media users agree, with one commenter adding, “Leave it to Jimmy to have our flag flying at half-mast on Inauguration Day to signify the death of democracy.”
The last time flags flew at half-staff during an inauguration was back in 1973, when Richard Nixon took the oath of office just days after Harry S. Truman’s death. But this time, it’s different. The internet’s taking it as one final, pointed, and rather poetic note from a man who never shied away from speaking his mind.
One last gift from Jimmy Carter, all flags will be at half-staff on Inauguration Day pic.twitter.com/vQsl8wlrXY
— Nick Field (@nick_field90) December 29, 2024
Call it coincidence, call it Carter’s parting shot, but one thing is clear: The flag will be flying at half-staff, and the internet couldn’t be more thrilled with the irony.
