Pres. Biden sends words of encouragement to longtime friend Jimmy Carter as he enters hospice

WASHINGTON – Pres. Biden got on twitter Sunday to offer his support to his longtime friend Jimmy Carter after it was revealed he would be admitted to hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia.

In the message, Biden began by saying “our friends” as the president and first lady left with Jimmy and Rosalyn long ago. He said that he and his wife Jill are “with you in prayer” and that they both send you their love.

The Carter Center responded to Biden’s words of support by saying, “Thank you President Biden and @FLOTUS Jill Biden for your kind and thoughtful words. Your support means so much to us.”

Messages of support came Saturday after the Carter Center released a statement saying the 39th president had decided to spend the “remaining time” at home with his family instead of receiving ongoing medical care at the hospital.

CONNECTED: Reaction to news that former President Jimmy Carter was admitted to hospice care at his home

President Biden and former President Carter have known each other for a long time, as the longtime politicians became lifelong friends from the mid-1970s when Carter became president and when Biden was first elected to office.

Biden first became a Delaware senator in 1976 when he endorsed Carter for president, then governor of Georgia. Biden preferred the candidate from the South to any of the challengers from the north of the party.

On Saturday, NBC News presidential historian Michael Beschloss released a black-and-white photo of then-President Jimmy Carter with current President Biden in the Oval Office, who captioned the photo for Biden. The note reads: “Best wishes to my friend Joe Biden – Jimmy Carter.”

In 2008, Carter was seen with Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Senator Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Biden ultimately became former President Barack Obama’s vice president from 2009 to 2017.

Even though both Jimmy and Rosalynn weren’t able to attend Pres. Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021 – the first they missed since their own inauguration 44 years ago – the four met again in the Plains in May 2021.

It was a private visit between the two couples and the first time they’ve met together since Biden took office. The two did not appear on the street together, but instead took this picture at the Carters’ house, and Biden was later seen with Rosaleen at the front door as he left.