Phelps and his followers did not approve of the Clinton/Gore administration’s support of gay rights and they picketed the second inaugural ball in 1997. They also picketed and screamed ugly things at Al Gore’s father’s funeral in 1998. If they ever were friends, I doubt that they are now.
If the Phelps family had ever been friendly with any Republican the left would never let it rest. I intend to do the same.