# When Trump dies, will he lie in state? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [September 3, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557 "2023-09-03T21:02:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/41 "2023-09-04T07:11:59Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > > [@Cervaise](#): > > > > all presidents, on death, will be eligible to lie in state in the rotunda, unless the family formally declines > > Cite for that? **[This page on history.com](https://www.history.com/news/lying-in-state-tradition)** says it was a Congressional proclamation following JFK’s assassination. And **[this wiki page](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lying_in_state)** includes the sentence, “Except for Presidents and former Presidents, the honor is not automatic,” indicating that it _is_ automatic for Presidents. I didn’t look further for the text of the Congressional decree or any other legalese to backstop these cites. More generally, I recognize of course that Congress can change its mind on the practice, whether traditional or official, in the case of a convicted felon; I said as much in the OP. I started the thread to seek speculation as to what seems likely to happen in Trump’s very specific case (divided Congress, disinterested wife, greedy grasping children, etc.). I do like the suggestion upthread that the kids will want to decline the state funeral in favor of an event for which they can charge admission. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/42 "2023-09-04T07:27:40Z")
I’m sure that if Trump dies, he will, like other dead Presidents, lie in state. And hundreds of thousands of Americans will line up to pay their last respects. Meanwhile, hundreds of _millions_ of Americans will go about their daily affairs without giving him a single thought. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/43 "2023-09-04T07:32:48Z")
Would there be anything to forbid erecting a dance-floor over the spot? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/44 "2023-09-04T08:14:30Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I’m sure that if Trump dies, he will, like other dead Presidents, lie in state. And hundreds of thousands of Americans will line up to pay their last respects. And millions of Americans will line up to make sure he’s dead. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/45 "2023-09-04T08:20:51Z")
From what I’ve seen, every time a dead US president was lying in state, there were uniformed guards (Marines?) watching over the casket. So I’m pretty sure a tourist would be ejected for violating decorum for dancing, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/46 "2023-09-04T09:43:17Z")
I’d prefer a urinal. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/47 "2023-09-04T09:55:54Z")
The OP is flawed. Trump dying is UN-possible. He is immortal. Long live the King! ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/48 "2023-09-04T11:57:09Z")
I would assume he’d have hightailed it to Russia at that point, so, sure, have him lie in state in St. Petersburg. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/49 "2023-09-04T12:29:44Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Interfering with that would be a gift to the GOP. Here is the extra ‘r’ that sentence is missing. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/50 "2023-09-04T12:33:45Z")
My thoughts too. At first it seems crazy any woman, no matter how mercenary, would sign-on for this but then I realized she’d not have to put up with him for long. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/51 "2023-09-04T12:43:05Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > I suspect his funeral will be much like Nixon’s. No celebrating, just mourning from a few friends and family members. I can’t imagine that. Nixon was personally restrained in style. I don’t remember anything about his relatives. Trump is an attention hog, as are most of his relatives. They will do something big and showy. He would want something big and showy. Lots of fans would be happy to show up to something big and showy. Trump’s funerary rites are going to be big and showy. They just are. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/52 "2023-09-04T12:45:08Z")
I can’t even look directly at his ugly mug on TV. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/53 "2023-09-04T13:00:40Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > the kids will want to decline the state funeral in favor of an event for which they can charge admission. And they’ll charge you by the ounce. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/54 "2023-09-04T13:19:52Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > At first it seems crazy any woman, no matter how mercenary, would sign-on for this but then I realized she’d not have to put up with him for long. Kari Lake, Marge, Kristi Noem, Loomer, + a million or so followers. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/55 "2023-09-04T13:22:02Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > I do like the suggestion upthread that the kids will want to decline the state funeral in favor of an event for which they can charge admission. I see a coast-to-coast funeral procession – like Lincoln’s train, except people don’t take trains any more. There will be bleachers and viewing stands set up along the route for which spectators will need to buy tickets. Vendors and concession operators will need a license from the Trump organization (for an upfront fee, of course) and they will also share their revenue. It will be a post-mortem money machine! In fact, they may take it around the country a few times. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/56 "2023-09-04T13:44:38Z")
The family will express their wish that he not lie in state… and then the Right Wing Media will wail incessantly about how the Woke Antifa Demon-Rats refused to pay their proper respects and used their Deep State power to prevent him from lying in state. While, meanwhile, his corpse is paraded around the country. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/57 "2023-09-04T13:45:27Z")
He’ll be buried in a covfefen. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/58 "2023-09-04T13:47:26Z")
Maybe they’ll paint trumpforce one black to haul his carcass around. MAGAt rallies become funeral services with pay per viewing. ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/59 "2023-09-04T13:49:34Z")
Wherever Trump lies in state should have a floor drain, so the urine can be hosed off nightly. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557/60 "2023-09-04T13:56:28Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Trump dying is UN-possible. He is immortal. There’s actually something to this. According to one or another article I read when I was checking cites for my posts here, it’s part of official procedure that WH staff bring up potential funeral arrangements with the President and his family fairly early on. The idea is they want to have questions pre-answered in the worst case scenario that he dies in office, so they aren’t scrambling to figure out services on top of everything else. But Trump is deeply neurotic and superstitious about his “think positive” mantra, and it seems completely plausible that he’d refuse to discuss the topic, lest this “jinx” him somehow. So if there is a standing plan on the subject which can be referenced, I feel like decisions would have been taken with Trump’s grudging participation, or without him at all. And it’s quite possible he might have blocked that planning entirely as giving him the existential heebie-jeebies. All of which makes it an interesting question for me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-trump-dies-will-he-lie-in-state/989557.md?page=4)