Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP / Getty Images
During the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 7, 2024, First Lady Jill Biden and President-elect Donald Trump were seen in a surprising moment of friendly interaction. The two were captured smiling and chatting after French First Lady Brigitte Macron momentarily left her seat between them. Jill Biden later revealed in an interview with The Washington Post that she and Trump exchanged light-hearted banter during the event.
According to Jill Biden, Trump remarked, "I had a good meeting with your husband in the Oval Office," referring to his meeting with President Joe Biden after Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Jill responded, "Yes because you’re both talkers."
The exchange quickly went viral, with many observers commenting on the unexpected camaraderie between the two. The next day, Trump capitalized on the moment, using a photo of the interaction to advertise his line of perfumes and cologne. The photo included the tagline: "A fragrance your enemies can’t resist."
When asked why she engaged in polite conversation with Trump, who her husband once called an “existential threat” to democracy, Mrs. Biden emphasized the importance of respecting American institutions and traditions.
"Joe and I respect our institutions, our traditions," Jill replied. "And it’s very important to me that they continue and we — what would be the point of nastiness?"