During former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, Donald Trump and Barack Obama shared a rare public exchange that appeared cordial but, according to a professional lip reader, included a discussion of significant matters. Jeremy Freeman, a certified forensic lip reader, interpreted the conversation as referencing the need for a private follow-up.
Freeman’s analysis revealed Trump telling Obama, “We’ll have to find a quiet place” to discuss a “matter of importance.” Trump also mentioned “conditions” and “pulling out,” sparking speculation that the discussion could have involved international agreements like the Iran nuclear deal or the Paris Climate Agreement, both of which Trump withdrew from during his presidency. The exact context of the conversation remains uncertain.
The conversation reportedly ended with Trump suggesting a follow-up, saying, “Call me at the foy after,” possibly referring to the National Cathedral’s foyer. Obama’s responses included “it should be good” and “it’s a chore,” though the specifics of his remarks remain unclear.
The encounter drew widespread attention due to the historically contentious relationship between the two men. Trump, who previously promoted the debunked “birther” conspiracy questioning Obama’s birthplace, accused his predecessor of orchestrating federal surveillance on his 2016 campaign. Obama, in turn, has publicly mocked Trump, including during the 2020 Democratic National Convention, where he ridiculed Trump’s focus on crowd sizes.
Freeman, who has provided expert lip-reading services for law enforcement and media outlets for over a decade, emphasized that such exchanges are challenging to interpret fully without audio. Representatives for Trump and Obama have not commented on the interaction.
The brief exchange marked a rare moment of direct interaction between the two, whose interactions have historically been defined by political and personal animosity. Observers noted the juxtaposition of smiles and lightheartedness with Freeman’s interpretation of more serious undertones in their discussion, leaving room for speculation about the nature of their dialogue.
