On a day when the last remaining Israeli hostages returned home after two years in captivity, and both Israelis and Palestinians celebrated the end of the Israel-Hamas war, many of America's elder statesmen and stateswomen kept mum.

While world leaders hailed President Donald Trump’s efforts, former Democratic presidents (and presidential nominees) did not mention their successor’s role in brokering a ceasefire and taking significant steps toward a peace deal.

For instance, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi bestowed Trump with the “Order of the Nile,” the highest state honor awarded by Egypt for exceptional public service to the nation or humanity.

But by 3:15 pm. ET on Oct.13, more than twelve hours after the hostages had been released, there was no acknowledgment on social media from former Presidents Obama, Clinton or Biden. Former President Bush, a Republican who did not endorse Trump or Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in 2024, also didn't publicly acknowledge Trump’s efforts.

The agreement to release the hostages came after several failed bids to end the two-year war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage.

The ensuing Israeli offensive on Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

This week, the first phase in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan saw the return of twenty Israeli hostages from Gaza and almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel.

Some former leaders did respond to the Trump administration's plan for the region: Four days before the hostage release, Obama said “we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight,” without naming Trump himself.

The response on social media from Trump supporters was swift.

“Obama welcomes the peace agreement reached in Gaza, but fails to mention and give credit to the person who made it possible: DONALD J. TRUMP,” said one social media user.

White House communications director Steven Cheung had a simple retort to Obama’s post: “Say his name... PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP” he wrote on X.

Of course, Trump doesn't tend to praise his Democratic counterparts. The president has a long history of going after Obama, starting with the birther conspiracy theory. Trump has also repeatedly accused him of treason after claiming without evidence that the former president and top aides had manufactured politicized intelligence against Trump after he defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016.

The president has also made a habit of giving nasty nicknames to his opponents including such as "Sleepy Joe" and "Crooked Hillary."

On Oct. 11, Clinton in an interview with CBS called the ceasefire plan a “significant first step” and said she commends Trump, his administration and the Arab leaders in the region.

Some Democrats were more explicit in their praise for Trump on Monday.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said a "weight has been lifted off the world" and said it was an “amazing day" for the families of the hostages. “And for @POTUS and all the negotiators who made this day possible,” he wrote in a post on X.

Democratic Sen. John Ossoff of Georgia relased a statement on Oct. 13 saying the ceasefire and release of the hostages have sparked hope for "an enduring peace in Gaza," adding that he commends the "efforts of the Trump Administration and international partners to achieve this moment"

World leaders hail Trump's 'uncompromising efforts for peace'

Many world leaders − even those who have had differences with Trump in recent months amid tariff negotiations − heaped praise on Trump as the hostages were released.

“We welcome the release of all the hostages after more than two years of captivity. Their freedom is a testament to the courage of their families, to President Trump's uncompromising efforts for peace, and to Prime Minister Netanyahu's determination,” wrote Indian Prime Narendra Modi on X.

Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, spoke glowingly about Trump at the summit in Egypt. He also quickly nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Kier Starmer expressed his “deep feeling of relief as hostages are released” on Oct.13.

“It is now crucial that we work together to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza,” he wrote on X.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former presidents mum as Trump-brokered ceasefire holds, hostages return home

Reporting by Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect