Texas Gov. Greg Abbott offered cringe-making condolences to the family of Jimmy Carter when he mistakenly sent prayers to Carter’s deceased wife Rosalynn.
The Republican governor issued the statement as public figures around the world were paying tribute to the former president, who died in his Plains, Georgia home at the age of 100 Sunday.
‘Cecilia and I send our prayers and deepest condolences to First Lady Rosalynn Carter and the entire Carter family,’ Abbott said in a statement.
The former first lady, who was married to Carter for 77 years, died in 2023 at the same Georgia home they shared for decades. Carter himself attended her memorial service.
Texas media immediately picked up on the flub.
A later statement corrected the mistake and sent condolences to the entire Carter family.
The five-term governor has made other errors during his tenure, including once sharing a fake story about a made up town and fake festival in his own state.
Abbott’s mistake came in a glowing statement praising the late Democratic president, during a rare moment of bipartisan political unity.
That came at a time when fellow Republican Donald Trump also lauded Carter, despite their long feud and Trump mocking his predecessor’s administration on Carter’s 100th birthday.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mistakenly sent condolences to the late first lady Rosalynn Carter in a statement honoring Jimmy Carter upon the former president’s death
‘Cecilia and I mourn the loss of former President Jimmy Carter alongside millions of Americans across the country,’ Abbott’s statement began.
‘Our nation remains the greatest beacon of freedom and opportunity in the world because of our fearless chief executives who are our guiding force through the best and worst of times. For that, we owe President Carter our enduring gratitude for his service as the 39th President of the United States.
‘Having led a life marked by selfless service to the American people, President Carter leaves behind a great legacy as a husband, father, naval officer, governor, and Nobel prize winner, and he will be greatly missed by many.’
Abbott is among many political leaders who sent kind words to the Carter family
Texas media picked up on the flub, which the governor’s office corrected
Also praising Carter Sunday night was President Joe Biden, who spoke to reporters for about ten minutes from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. When he was done speaking, Biden appeared to criticize Trump while praising Carter’s character.
‘Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking by someone who needs something and just keeps walking?’ Biden asked. ‘Can you imagine Jimmy Carter referring to someone by the way they look or the way they talk?’
‘I can’t, I can’t,’ Biden said.
‘In today’s world some look at Jimmy Carter and see a man of a bygone era, with honesty and character, faith and humility… But I don’t think it’s bygone era. I see a man not only of our time but for all times,’ Biden argued.
