In a moment that captured significant attention, former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence shook hands during the late President Jimmy Carter's funeral at the National Cathedral, marking their initial public encounter since parting ways in 2021.

This event, gathering all five living U.S. presidents, highlighted the historical political tensions as it was the first occasion since 2018 that these leaders, including Trump and Pence, were under one roof, as Fox News reports.

The funeral for Carter, America's 39th president, who passed at the age of 100, took place on Thursday at Washington, D.C.'s National Cathedral.

Amid an atmosphere of reflection, Trump and Pence's greeting drew considerable attention due to their lack of public interactions over the last four years.

Historic Gathering of Former Leaders

The absence of dialogue between the former president and vice president was largely attributed to their strained relations following the 2020 election. Post-election, Trump’s pursuit of legal action and Pence's differing stance led to their falling out, a rift that has been evident for years.

When Trump arrived at the National Cathedral, Pence stood to greet him with a handshake. Notably, Pence also extended this gesture to former first lady Melania Trump. Former second lady Karen Pence, while present, did not engage directly with Trump during the service.

This notable handshake occurred in an unprecedented setting. All living U.S. presidents, including current President Biden and former leaders Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump, gathered. Such a congregation had not been seen since George H.W. Bush's funeral in 2018.

Political Tensions Resurface

Compounding the witnesses of historic political figures, former Vice Presidents Dan Quayle and Al Gore were also present at the cathedral, adding to the gravitas of the event and underscoring its significance.

The interaction between Trump and Pence came against a backdrop of political differences that have simmered long after their tenure ended.

Notably, Pence had entered the 2024 presidential race only to exit in October 2023 after an unsuccessful bid against Trump in the primary. During his campaign efforts, Pence refrained from endorsing Trump for the November election, reflecting lingering tensions.

Over the years, the rhetorical exchanges between Trump and Pence have been publicly displayed. In an instance dating to 2023, Trump referred to Pence as "delusional," signaling the depth of their disagreement. Pence, on his part, remarked in the previous year about his inability to "in good conscience" support Trump, highlighting the moral and political rift between the two figures.

Carter's Legacy Honored

The service centered around commemorative reflections on Jimmy Carter's life, as his contributions as a statesman and humanitarian were lauded. Carter's passing on December 29th after entering hospice care in 2023 marked the end of a celebrated century-long journey.

Following the ceremonies held at the cathedral, Carter's remains were to be transported to Georgia for a private service slated to take place in his hometown, Plains, allowing his family and close associates a moment of personal reflection away from the public eye.

As the ceremonial proceedings concluded, the congregation of past and present leaders dispersed, taking with them the reminder of Carter's favorable impact on the American and global stages. His legacy, intertwined with a rare meeting of contemporary political figures, underscored the funeral's significance beyond a customary remembrance.

Reflection on American Leadership

Carter's funeral served as a reflective vignette of American leadership history -- both past presidents and vice presidents convened in unity to honor one of their own while exemplifying the ongoing evolution of political dynamics and relationships.

This gathering underscores the continual influence of past leaders in shaping the discourse and direction of the political landscape. Their presence marked a poignant moment of reflection and perhaps served as a reminder of the broader ties that bind leaders across time.

In the antechamber of politics where allies and adversaries periodically collide and converge, the handshake between Trump and Pence serves as a microcosmic reminder of the complex, ever-evolving tapestry of alliances and discord that define the American political experience.

As public figures depart from such ceremonies, they carry with them the imprints of their shared past, informing their present interactions, much like the symbolic reunions witnessed within the cathedral walls in tribute to Jimmy Carter's enduring legacy.