ATLANTA — Jimmy Carter's grandson Jason Carter told CNN in an interview that the former president is doing well and, in fact, lately even "engaged more with the news and with our family."
Jason Carter described the 99-year-old, who turns 100 on Oct. 1, as energized by the coming of his birthday and the November presidential election.
"We've been talking about his 100th birthday that's coming up, we have a celebration planned and as we've been discussing this, you know, he really has said multiple times now that he's excited for that but he's most excited to cast that ballot for Kamala Harris," Jason Carter said. "And in part, I think he really wants - like a lot of other people - to turn the page on this Trump era that has been sort of marked by darkness, and meanness, and a lot of things that are very different than the way my grandfather sees the world."
President Carter entered hospice care in February 2023, and Jason Carter noted how some people were surprised to see what he called the "physically diminished" state of his grandfather when Jimmy Carter appeared publicly last year for Rosalynn Carter's memorial services and funeral.
"But lately he's really been engaged more with the news and with our family, and so he's doing pretty well," Jason Carter said. "And they key to this whole moment for him is he knows that he's not in charge, and this part of his faith journey I think is really continuing to sustain him, as it has for his whole life."
The birthday concert for President Carter is scheduled for Sept. 17 at Atlanta's famed Fox Theatre. Performing artists include Eric Church and the Drive-By Truckers, among others.
"He loved music, it was one of those things that impacted him as a person. He would tell you that Bob Dylan taught him as much about the world as anyone else," Jason Carter said. "He loved the Allman Brothers, he loved Georgia music, and believed it was a way to bring people together."
Jason Carter, who served as a state senator in Georgia and was the Democratic Party's nominee for governor in 2014, also spoke to the state of the presidential race in Georgia. He commended Vice President Kamala Harris for campaigning this week in south Georgia, looking to make a statewide effort to win the Peach State.
"Georgia is a swing state -- we elected a Republican governor last time and a Democratic senator, so we have a lot of folks out there that are willing to take a look at a candidate and make decisions," he said. "And I think you see Kamala Harris down in this red part of the state, where nobody's been for 30 years as a Democratic presidential candidate, telling people she's gonna be the president for everyone. And I think that message helps down in south Georgia."
He also touched on former President Donald Trump reigniting his feud -- since calmed down -- with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. While the relationship is publicly repaired for now, Carter said it wouldn't surprise him if it leaves a lingering distaste among state Republicans.
"It's interesting, I think you have Brian Kemp sort of doing his duty as a Republican in this state (by supporting Trump)," Carter said. "I think when Donald Trump attacked his wife, everybody was shocked. I mean, Marty Kemp is a wonderful person, she's done a lot of good for this state in a host of different contexts and Donald Trump came out, last time he was here, and attacked her. I think people were surprised by that. I think whether they're publicly mending fences or not (Trump and Kemp), I think you got a lot of Republicans -- and a lot of my Republican friends -- who are still super uncomfortable with what that says about the candidate they've got for president.
You can see the full interview with Jason Carter in the video player above this story.