Leaders of American government, including five living presidents, attended Jimmy Carter's formal state funeral in Washington on Thursday. But where was former first lady Michelle Obama?

Obama's friendly exchange with Trump sent a signal that dominant sections of the state are prepared to accept as president a man who, just months earlier, they had correctly identified as a fascist and would-be dictator.

Trump is obviously no fan of Biden, but Obama and his veep also have a famously complex relationship, only made more so after Obama helped nudge Biden to quit the presidential race last summer. Surely Obama feels some frustration that Biden fumbled a possibly winnable race; maybe he couldn’t help spill to his sworn enemy?