Trump and first lady Melania Trump took their place in the front row at President George H. W. Bush's funeral at National Cathedral yesterday morning, right next to the Obamas. It was a bit awkward considering the past war of words between the two couples. Trump has accused Obama of authoring some of the worst deals the U.S. has ever signed and is currently upending his predecessor's legacy, while Obama has sounded off on Trump's policies. Meanwhile, Michelle Obama wrote some unflattering things about 45 in her new book, including how she'll never forgive him for his role in the "birther" controversy about her husband.
But, the two couples didn't let that context prevent them from being cordial to each other. The Obamas shook the Trumps' hands and Michelle Obama told the president, "good morning."
To CNN's Don Lemon, that was more than he would have done. If he was Obama, he would not have offered his hand to Trump.
"You don't have to show respect for that kind of person," Lemon said.
His disdain for President Trump was even too much for his CNN coanchors to handle.
Chris Cuomo, on the other side of the screen, chided Lemon.
.@donlemon gets called out by @ChrisCuomo for saying he wouldn't have shaken Trump's hand at 41's service if he were Obama.
— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 6, 2018
Cuomo: "You’re petty and small."
Lemon: "I’m not petty and small. That’s real, brother. That’s real."
Cuomo: "Real petty and small." pic.twitter.com/oW6NR1d31A
"This is not about ideology, this is about the way someone conducts themselves," Lemon insisted.
To expand on what Cuomo was getting at, perhaps Lemon should withhold his contempt for Trump until after we say our goodbyes to the late President Bush.