Jenna Bush Hager sheds light on her father, George W. Bush, who had now-famous facial expressions that stole the show during President Donald Trump's inauguration. The 47th president was sworn in on Monday, January 20, at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. Still, the 43rd president — now 78 — grabbed the internet's attention with animated reactions.
From containing laughter to raising his eyebrows and even winking, Bush's quirky expressions became a viral sensation. His daughter, Bush Hager, 43, addressed the hilarious moment during Tuesday's "TODAY" broadcast, calling it the talk of her family group chat.
"You all already guessed what moment has been blowing up our family group chat," she joked. "Yeah, my dad went viral for these cutaway shots during yesterday's broadcast. The internet's obsessed with this little smile and goofy expression."
Jenna speculated that some unexpected eye contact might have prompted her father's reactions. "He must have made eye contact with somebody," she said. However, she hinted that her father wasn't entirely to blame for his playful behavior.
"You guys, you can't just blame him because it looks like my dad was also seated next to a bad influence," she teased before airing a clip of former President Obama, who humorously remarked that he had no intention of behaving. "I just love how when they're together, they become unusual friends," Jenna added.
Bush Hager, who was 20 when her father first took office, reflected on the family's tradition of watching inaugurations. During her "Jenna and Friends" segment, she likened it to a parent zooming in on their child at a school concert.
"That's a little bit about how we watch an inauguration in my family. I'm like, 'What's happening with the parents?'" she said, laughing. "He goes viral for basically anything. He didn't do anything. I mean, that's what his face looks like."
Despite Obama's lighthearted remarks about George's behavior, Jenna defended her dad, insisting he was "very well-behaved."
During the ceremony, Bush was seated alongside his wife, Laura Bush, close to former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. However, the dynamic camaraderie between George W. Bush and Obama became a focal point.
In a moment that further underscored their playful bond, a staffer was overheard asking Bush if he planned to behave, to which Obama jokingly responded on his behalf: "Nope." The exchange, shared by Washington Post reporter Emily Davies on X, showcased the lighthearted friendship between the two former presidents.
Jenna concluded her reflections with a heartfelt note, praising the camaraderie between her father and Obama. "They're pals," she said. "I think it shows that even in divisive times, we have so much more that unites us. So let's just pray for that."