Reports of the death of Jimmy Carter, former president of the United States, have raised alarm in some media outlets around the world, after a letter supposedly signed by his office, dated Tuesday, July 23, was published.
“ATLANTA (July 23, 2024) – Former President Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter Jr.), a passionate advocate of human rights, democracy, World War II veteran and the 39th President of the United States, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 1:34 a.m., at his home in Plains, Georgiaat the age of 99. He died peacefully, with his family,” stated this letter signed by Jimmy Carter’s Office.
The rest of the letter recounted some relevant matters regarding Carter’s life, his fight for human rights and his achievements during the administration of the US Government.
However, it had a peculiarity: In the text, mention was made of his deceased wife. Rosalynn Carter and an alleged phrase that the former president would have said about her, stating that “Rosalynn was a baddie (…) She was the original Brat.” (Rosalynn was bad, she was the original Brat).
“Brat” is the name of the most recent album by the American singer Charlie XCX. Its cover, a fluorescent green with blurred letters, has gone viral. “Brat” is a word used to describe someone who is childish and “who behaves badly.” A “brat” is a spoiled girl and the singer uses the word to redefine her.
This was the clue to detect that it was fake news. However, some media reported on the death and Even Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador lamented the death of Jimmy Carter: “Our condolences, we have very good memories of him,” he said this morning at his daily press conference.
It is not clear where the first false report of Carter’s death came from. However, the letter was shared by several people who were mourning the news, guided only by the first paragraph of the letter.
The Carter Centerfounded by the former president and his wife in 1982, did not report the death and has not taken a position regarding the fake news that circulated.
Who is Jimmy Carter and what is he doing at 99?
James Carter was President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, representing the Democratic Party. He is currently 99 years old.
In his administration, Carter faced the challenge of negotiating a hostage crisis in Iran; he helped broker the Camp David Accords in 1978 and 1979, after Israel was founded on Palestinian land (in 1948) and a war broke out in the region; that agreement resulted in Israel withdrawing from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Israel had also committed to negotiating peace with Palestine at the time. Despite this, the regional conflict continues.
After leaving the White House, Carter was active as a conflict mediator and promoter of democracy.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in peacefully resolving global conflicts during his tenure and for his work promoting human rights.
Jimmy Carter will retire from his activities in 2023. The Carter Center reported in February of last year that he would be under palliative care at his home in Plains, Georgia.
#100PhotosFor100Years #OnThisDay In 1980, Jimmy Carter welcomed reps. of the 34th annual session of Girls Nation in the Rose Garden. NAIDs 846127.3, .7 Girls Nation is a week-long civic training program giving girls practical experience in how the federal government works. pic.twitter.com/qNebR7w87m
— Jimmy Carter Presidential Library (@CarterLibrary) July 18, 2024
