Things got real awkward between the Trumps, Obamas, and Clintons at George H.W. Bush's funeral

The feud of 2016 lives on.
 By 
Marcus Gilmer
 on 
Things got real awkward between the Trumps, Obamas, and Clintons at George H.W. Bush's funeral
The bad blood over the 2016 race lives on. Credit: Getty Images

Things were going fine as all the living former presidents and their spouses gathered at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., for the funeral of former president George H.W. Bush. But when our current president arrived things got awkward fast.

As President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took their places in the first row of the cathedral, they were greeted with light smiles and handshakes from Barack and Michelle Obama, a genial greeting in an otherwise frosty relationship.

The Trumps' arrival also got a head turn from former president Bill Clinton, but Hillary Clinton, Trump's rival in the 2016 presidential campaign and a even still recipient of many Trump's attacks, threw a little side-eye and what looks like a nod at Melania then completely ignored the Donald.


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Now, one can argue that you shouldn't expect a handshake or any other greeting at that moment because it's awkward to reach over several people. But Hillary's refusal to do more than just a quick side glance at the current president was pretty conspicuous, not even escaping the notice of the CBS commentators.

It's also not hard to notice how the general mood was brought down by Trump's arrival. Granted, this is a funeral and those are generally pretty solemn occasions. But before the Trumps took their places, the former presidents and first ladies shared some warm moments. After? Well, let these pictures tell the story.

Even Fox News reporter Chris Wallace recognized the change in mood as soon as Trump showed up.

Fortunately the ceremony began a few minutes later so at least they have something to focus on other than all the awkward energy in the air.

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Marcus Gilmer

Marcus Gilmer is Mashable's Assistant Real-Times News Editor on the West Coast, reporting on breaking news from his location in San Francisco. An Alabama native, Marcus earned his BA from Birmingham-Southern College and his MFA in Communications from the University of New Orleans. Marcus has previously worked for Chicagoist, The A.V. Club, the Chicago Sun-Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.

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