Jenna Bush Hager Shares Dad’s Hilarious Take on Her Show

Jenna Bush Hager, host of Today with Jenna & Friends, gave viewers a peek into her family life. She revealed that her father, former President George W. Bush, doesn’t actually watch her show.

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“He says things like, ‘I don’t watch your dumb show,’” Jenna admitted on air, prompting laughter from her co-hosts and audience alike. Even in retirement, George W. Bush’s mix of blunt honesty and playful teasing clearly continues to charm the family.

Why We Might Not See Him On the Show

Since Hoda Kotb left Today in January, Jenna has welcomed a rotating roster of guest co-hosts. Meanwhile, her dad recently appeared virtually on Peyton and Eli Manning’s ManningCast. Despite this Zoom cameo, he has yet to co-host his daughter’s morning show.

“I’ve actually asked him,” Jenna said. “Maybe I’ll do a public ask for him to come and be a ‘friend’ since he’s my father.”

Her co-hosts reminded her that George W. Bush rarely appears on television. Jenna responded, “Well, he said he was retired, so I was surprised as anyone to see him Monday night.”

Savannah Guthrie added that he didn’t have to leave home for the ManningCast appearance. But to join Today with Jenna & Friends, he’d need to travel to New York.

“Why don’t you go to Texas and do the show from there?” Al Roker joked.

“I don’t think we have that kind of budget,” Jenna replied. Craig Melvin quipped, “I feel like for a former president, we could find it.”

Family Humor Shines

Despite George W. Bush declining to appear, Jenna has welcomed plenty of family members on the show. Her husband, Henry Hager, twin sister Barbara Bush Pierce, and numerous cousins have all joined her segments.

In March, her mother, former First Lady Laura Bush, appeared in a special sit-down. In 2018, Jenna interviewed both her father and grandfather, George H.W. Bush.

Back in 2021, President Bush joined Today with Hoda & Jenna for a discussion on immigration. “Mom and I are very proud of your independent views,” he told her. “You take time to understand issues, and you’re not afraid to speak your mind.”

Sharing Family Moments

Jenna often shares family stories with the public. In October, she recounted a Christmas Eve dinner that brought her mom to tears.

“My dad was like, ‘You a–holes!’” she said. “We couldn’t believe it. Then he added, ‘Your mom’s going through menopause; go and apologize.’”

When Hoda Kotb left the show, George W. Bush offered support. Jenna recalled calling him, worried about the transition. “He first thought something awful had happened because I sounded so emotional,” she said. “Then he told me, ‘Oh, she’s leaving because it’s time, and you’re gonna be fine. It’s your turn. It’s okay.’”

He added, “Whoever sits in this seat next to you will have the easiest job. They just have to hang on… and not laugh so hard they pee their pants.”