Moment CNN host stuns panel with rare praise for Trump at Jimmy Carter funeral

CNN host Abby Phillip gave president-elect Donald Trump some rare praise as she covered former President Jimmy Carter's funeral on Thursday.

Trump, 78, was in attendance at the late president's funeral at Washington's National Cathedral, seated with his wife, Melania, as well as President Joe Biden and former presidents Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

He was even spotted chatting with Obama, his one-time rival. 

As the camera was panning over all the former commanders-in-chief and their wives, Phillip speculated that they must all be thinking about their own demise and eventual state funerals.

'All of those men have gone through the planning process. All of these men have thought about it,' Phillip suggested. 

She then stunningly singled out Trump as being 'incredibly gracious' about Carter following his death at the age of 100, suggesting his demeanor may be due to him surviving two assassination attempts.

'I think particularly of President Trump, who I think surprised a lot of people with how - at least his written statements and some of his verbal statements about Jimmy Carter - have been incredibly gracious.

'He disagrees with Jimmy Carter on virtually everything,' Phillip continued, as she suggested that Trump's experience as president and position as the incoming president, as well as his assassination attempts, may have contributed to his public remarks on the late president.

She then reiterated that Trump was 'incredibly gracious about Jimmy Carter... despite a lot of policy disagreements, including some that he is actively trying to overturn right now as we speak.' 

Trump had posted a thoughtful message on his Truth Social platform following Carter's death on December 29. 

'The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time in our country, and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans, for that we all owe him a debt of gratitude,' he wrote. 

'Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.'

In another post, Trump acknowledged he had political differences with Carter, but still spoke highly of him.

'While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our country and all it stands for,' Trump shared.

'He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect.

'He was a truly good man, and of course, will be greatly missed.'

'He was also very consequential, far more than most presidents, after he left the Oval Office.'

Those comments came in stark contrast to remarks he had made about the 39th president when he was still alive.

He once labeled Carter as 'the worst' president, and mocked his administration at an October 1 campaign event in Wisconsin, comparing him to President Joe Biden.

'Jimmy Carter is the happiest man because Jimmy Carter is considered a brilliant president by comparison, [to Joe Biden],' Trump said at the time.