Laura Bush, George W. Bush, President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in 2018.Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty
Dating back toBarack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, the former president and his wifeMichelle Obamahave shared some surprisingly funny and candid moments with Obama’s predecessorGeorge W. Bushand wifeLaura Bush, putting their friendship on display on some of the nation’s biggest stages.From their tradition of exchanging candy to jokes about “just barely” behaving, see how the former presidents and their wives have stayed close over the years.
Dating back toBarack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, the former president and his wifeMichelle Obamahave shared some surprisingly funny and candid moments with Obama’s predecessorGeorge W. Bushand wifeLaura Bush, putting their friendship on display on some of the nation’s biggest stages.
From their tradition of exchanging candy to jokes about “just barely” behaving, see how the former presidents and their wives have stayed close over the years.
01of 08
Passing of the Torch
Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama with President George W. Bush and Laura Bush.JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty
DuringBarack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, he and his wife Michelle Obama were seen smiling alongsideGeorge W. BushandLaura Bushjust after officially taking the oath of office.
The Bushes' daughters Laura and Jenna also gave the Obamas' daughters Malia and Sasha a tour of their favorite places in the White House,a visit from which Jenna shared photos years later.
02of 08
Catching Up
President George W. Bush and Michelle Obama.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
Over the years, their friendship played out in a public forum on multiple occasions — often between Michelle and President Bush, who found themselves seated next to each other at important events.
At the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches in 2015, the two were seen chatting from their places on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
03of 08Hand in HandPresident George Bush and Michelle Obama in 2016.Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star Telegram/Tribune News Service via GettyIn 2016, Michelle and the former president held hands during a memorial for five Dallas and DART police officers whowere killed during a Black Lives Matter protest,at which Bush and Barack Obama both spoke.“Our values are the same,“Michelle said onTodayabout Bush. “We disagree on policy, butwe don’t disagree on humanity, we don’t disagree about love and compassion. I think that’s true for all of us — it’s just that we get lost in our fear of what’s different.”
03of 08
Hand in Hand
President George Bush and Michelle Obama in 2016.Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty
Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty
In 2016, Michelle and the former president held hands during a memorial for five Dallas and DART police officers whowere killed during a Black Lives Matter protest,at which Bush and Barack Obama both spoke.
“Our values are the same,“Michelle said onTodayabout Bush. “We disagree on policy, butwe don’t disagree on humanity, we don’t disagree about love and compassion. I think that’s true for all of us — it’s just that we get lost in our fear of what’s different.”
04of 08Embracing DifferencesPresident George W Bush and Michelle Obama.David Hume Kennerly via Bank of America/GettyOne of the most memorable moments shared between the families came at the 2016 opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. where Michelle and Bush shared a hug.In 2017,Bush told PEOPLEthe hug was “a genuine expression of affection,” and added, “She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like. … I needle her a little bit and around her, I’m fairly lighthearted. [The Obamas] are around serious people all the time and we just took to each other.”
04of 08
Embracing Differences
President George W Bush and Michelle Obama.David Hume Kennerly via Bank of America/Getty
David Hume Kennerly via Bank of America/Getty
One of the most memorable moments shared between the families came at the 2016 opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. where Michelle and Bush shared a hug.
In 2017,Bush told PEOPLEthe hug was “a genuine expression of affection,” and added, “She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like. … I needle her a little bit and around her, I’m fairly lighthearted. [The Obamas] are around serious people all the time and we just took to each other.”
05of 08
“A Simple Gesture”
CNN
A few years later, a tradition of sorts started between Michelle and the former president when he was seen passing a cough drop to her from his wife, Laura, duringSen. John McCain’s 2018 funeral.
“President Bush and I, we are forever seat mates because of protocol, that’s how we sit at all the official functions so he is my partner in crime atevery major thing where all the formers gather,” she added. “So we’re together all the time, and I love him to death. He’s a wonderful man. He’s a funny man. And it was a simple gesture.”
“He was getting a cough drop from Laura and I looked over and I said ‘Hand me a cough drop’ and he was like ‘Oh, okay,'” she continued. “And I will add that they were old cough drops.”
06of 08Keeping TraditionGeorge W. Bush with his wife, Laura. Donald and Melania Trump. Barack and Michelle Obama. Bill and Hillary Clinton.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyLater that year, the friends were reunited at the state funeral of former presidentGeorge H.W. Bush. As George W. greeted the guests, which included President Donald Trump,Melania Trump, Bill andHillary Clintonand Barack, when he got to Michelle,he appeared to pass her a piece of candy.
06of 08
Keeping Tradition
George W. Bush with his wife, Laura. Donald and Melania Trump. Barack and Michelle Obama. Bill and Hillary Clinton.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty
Later that year, the friends were reunited at the state funeral of former presidentGeorge H.W. Bush. As George W. greeted the guests, which included President Donald Trump,Melania Trump, Bill andHillary Clintonand Barack, when he got to Michelle,he appeared to pass her a piece of candy.
07of 08
A Love Tap
Chip Somodevilla/Getty; Pool/AP
08of 08"Just Barely” BehavingGeorge W. Bush, Laura Bush and Barack Obama.Kenny Holston-Pool/GettyThe former presidents were seated together once more at the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Trump, where Obama,who attended without his wife Michelle, joked that Bush“just barely” behaved during the ceremony.The moment came after the Bushes and Obama were asked ahead of the ceremony if the 43rd president was “going to behave.““Nope,” Obama replied.
08of 08
“Just Barely” Behaving
George W. Bush, Laura Bush and Barack Obama.Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty
Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty
The former presidents were seated together once more at the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Trump, where Obama,who attended without his wife Michelle, joked that Bush“just barely” behaved during the ceremony.
The moment came after the Bushes and Obama were asked ahead of the ceremony if the 43rd president was “going to behave.”
“Nope,” Obama replied.
source: people.com
