Joe Biden was babysitting President Donald Trump by keeping a close eye on his successor at Pope Francis‘ funeral, a body language expert spilled to the DailyMail.com.
The former president was seated just five rows behind the current US leader, but that didn’t stop Biden from giving him the death stare as he kept him in his sights throughout the proceedings.
‘Despite being a couple of rows back, Biden’s long stare in Trump’s direction suggests a near-obsessive desire to watch his successor in the role he still clearly believes should be his,’ body language expert, Judi James, told the DailyMail.com.
‘Biden’s most recent speech showed no abatement of the resentment and animosity and disbelief that this man is in his job.’
The Democrat made his first political appearance since leaving the White House to slam Trump over social security, where the politician asked the president: ‘Who in the hell do they think they are?’
The only thing that broke Biden’s worth-a-thousand-words stare was when a woman moved in front of him, blocking his view of the 47th US president.
Ironically, both the 46th and 47th presidents were out of dress code for the religious event, as Biden was caught wearing a blue tie and Trump a blue suit.
The dress code required men to be dressed in in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie.
The former president was seated just five rows behind the current US leader, but that didn’t stop Biden from giving him the death stare as he kept him in his sights throughout the proceedings
Despite Biden keeping a close eye on his Republican counterpart, the two avoided any public interactions at the ceremony. Trump and wife Melania sat in the front row. Joe and Jill were visible behind them
Lucky for them, their wives, who accompanied them, were up to par with the female dress requirements, as both were spotting wearing stunning black looks with matching lace veils.
Despite Biden keeping a close eye on his Republican counterpart, the two avoided any public interactions at the ceremony. It is unclear if they met up behind the scenes.
Trump and wife Melania sat in the front row, despite earlier speculation that the conservative would be snubbed with a lesser seat due to his and Francis’ tensions over immigration.
Joe and Jill were visible behind them, seated far behind the current world leaders.
Trump, on his way to Rome, said a meeting with his predecessor in the Oval Office was ‘not high on my list.’
Trump also revealed he hadn’t known that Biden and wife would also be at the basilica for the service.
‘Oh he is? I didn’t know,’ Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
Biden is Catholic and is only one of two US presidents who practiced the faith after John F. Kennedy. While at the ceremony, Biden was caught clasping onto the priest’s forearm and his wife’s hand as he made a rare public appearance at the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square
Biden is Catholic and is only one of two US presidents who practiced the faith after John F. Kennedy. Trump was confirmed in the Presbyterian Church and considers himself Protestant.
When asked if he would meet with the former president, Trump replied: ‘It’s not high on my list. It’s really not.’
The two men had a bitter rivalry in the 2020 election, which Biden won, and then again in the 2024 contest until Biden dropped out of the race. Trump ultimately won a second term.
Biden has called Trump a threat to democracy. Trump has questioned Biden’s mental capabilities and blamed him for the high inflation and shaky stock market.
Another contentious point Republicans have had with Biden is seemingly apparent physical ailments.
And Biden continued to fuel those rumors on Saturday as he appeared frail and struggled to walk unaided.
Biden was caught clasping onto the priest’s forearm and his wife’s hand as he made a rare public appearance at the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square.
He appeared to struggle down the steps at the ceremony.
