However, Barack and George seemed to enjoy each other’s company at the inauguration and at other recent events. For example, at Jimmy Carter’s state funeral on January 9, all the living U.S. presidents and most of the surviving first ladies (except Michelle due to a scheduling conflict) paid their respects at the National Cathedral in Washington. When George and Laura were making their way to their seats on the same row where Barack was already seated next to Donald and Melania Trump, George gave Barack a friendly tap on the belly with his knuckles.
After George’s presidency from 2001 to 2009, Barack had two consecutive terms. In a 2018 interview with Today, Michelle referred to George as “my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather.” She added that she loves him to death and described him as a “wonderful” and “funny” man. That same year, George told PEOPLE that since Michelle likes his sense of humor, he immediately likes her.
