Staff Reports
Former President Jimmy Carter may have reached the century mark, but fond memories of his presidency often feel like an exercise in wishful thinking. While admirers might claim that he was a great former president, it’s hard to overlook the fact that he was a less-than-stellar real one. When he entered the White House in 1977, Carter stepped in at a time when the nation was still reeling from the Watergate scandal and looking for an alternative to the Republican establishment. Gerald Ford, however well-intended, couldn’t shake the shadow of Nixon and lost favor with voters. Enter Jimmy Carter, who ultimately got sent packing by none other than Ronald Reagan in 1980 after four years of economic turmoil and international embarrassment.
With the former president’s passing on December 29, 2024, the media circus has once again taken center stage, with outlets like CNN seizing the moment to trot out tired narratives. Instead of focusing on Carter’s legacy, CNN’s talking heads have found it impossible to resist dragging Donald Trump into the conversation, using the occasion to knee-jerk criticize a man who, by various accounts, has little to do with the discussion at hand. Jake Tapper and company seemed convinced that a funeral procession for a 100-year-old ex-president was simply another opportunity to smear Trump, with commentary that often felt more like a hatchet job than a homage.
'DEBT OF GRATITUDE': President-elect Trump reacted to the death of former President Jimmy Carter on Truth Social, saying, "Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time.” https://t.co/xBbsIHDkHD pic.twitter.com/MCLJnRfMGF
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 30, 2024
During the coverage of Carter’s casket being transported, CNN couldn’t resist likening him to current President Joe Biden, another figure with a distinct “outsider” tag in his political portfolio. However, comparing two failed presidencies hardly showcases any American progress; it’s more like a race to the bottom. While media pundits might try to redeem Carter’s tumultuous tenure by suggesting time has painted his presidency in a softer hue, those in the know recognize that it was merely one disaster after another—skyrocketing inflation, rampant unemployment, and a foreign policy that would make even a third-grader roll their eyes.
ABC and CBS may have managed to keep their commentary somewhat on-track, but CNN’s obsession with Trump turned the coverage into a circus act. Abby Phillip’s attempt to argue that Carter’s blunders could be better understood in retrospect reeks of desperation. If one had to search for a silver lining in those turbulent years, it’d certainly be more of a stretch than a gift to the man himself.
Among the more vocal critiques, Erick Erickson did not hold back the punches, addressing Carter’s failings as both president and post-presidency figure in less than two minutes. Emphasizing how Carter tangled with America’s enemies while wrapping himself in the mantle of “ex-president,” Erickson clearly articulated the frustration many feel. Whether it’s bowing down to tyrants or dabbling in post-presidential diplomacy, the stance is clear: Carter didn’t just fail the office; he failed America. In the grand scheme of the political landscape, it’s hard to regret the departure of a man whose administration served as a reminder that sometimes wishing for change doesn’t pan out quite as neatly as one hopes.
