Jenna Bush Hageris offering some insight intoGeorge W. Bush’s now-viral facial expressions during PresidentDonald Trump’s inauguration.
The 47th president was sworn in on Monday, Jan. 20 at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. But during the ceremony, the 43rd president — father to Bush Hager — couldn’t keep his silly reactions to himself. Bush, 78, was seen containing laughter, raising his eyebrows and winking throughout the event.
“You all already guessed what moment has been blowing up our family group chat,” Bush Hager, 43, said onTODAY. “Yeah, my dad went viral for these cutaway shots during yesterday’s broadcast. The internet’s obsessed with this little smile and goofy expression.”
Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Bush Hager suggested her father “must have made eye contact with somebody,” but all things considered, he alone shouldn’t be held responsible for his behavior.
“You guys, you can’t just blame him because it looks like my dad was also seated next to a bad influence. Take a look at what former PresidentBarack Obamahad to say,” she said before the broadcast cut to a clip of the 44th president saying he wasn’t going to behave. “I just love how when they’re together, they become unusual friends.”
Bush Hager, who was 20 when her father was elected for the first time, has seen her fair share of inaugurations. Later, on her hourJenna and Friends,she shared that her family has developed some habits in how they watch each swearing-in ceremony.
George W. Bush winks during President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty
Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty
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“You know when you’re watching your kid’s holiday concert or whatever and — if you’re honest — you don’t really care about the whole scene. You’re just zooming in right on your kid. That’s a little bit about how we watch an inauguration in my family. I’m like, ‘What’s happening with the parents,’ " Bush Hager said.
She continued, “He goes viral for basically anything. He didn’t do anything. I mean, that’s what his face looks like.”
Former President Bill Clinton, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and former President George W. Bush at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP/Getty
CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP/Getty
The 43rd president was also seated nearBillandHillary Clinton— the 42nd president and first lady, respectively — and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush.
After the inauguration, as Obama left the Capitol Rotunda, reporters asked himif his predecessor behavedduring the ceremony. “Just barely,” Obamajokingly toldWashington Postreporter Emily Davies in a clip she shared onX.
Davies shared another video clip earlier that day, of Obama, George and Laura. As the trio geared up to go into the rotunda, a staffer asked George if he was “going to behave.” Obama answered for him, offering a quick “nope.”
“They’re pals,” Bush Hager reflected. “I think it shows that even in divisive times, we have so much more that unites us. So let’s just pray for that.”
source: people.com
