George W Bush opens up about friendship with Michelle Obama, recalls viral Altoid moment
George W. Bush on his relationship with @MichelleObama and the viral Altoids incident.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) April 21, 2026
“I slipped her an Altoids — not as a joke — but I thought she might want one. I got in the car afterwards, and she said ‘you’re trending.’ I didn’t know what she meant. And it turns out the… pic.twitter.com/hBgbY98vZn
WASHINGTON, DC: Former President George W Bush, during an interview with his daughter Jenna Bush Hager for the History Channel’s 'History Talks,' reflected on the viral moment when he shared a piece of candy with former first Lady Michelle Obama.
The exchange, which occurred at Senator John McCain’s 2018 funeral, resurfaced in the interview as they discussed the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
George W Bush details the moment he shared an Altoid with Michelle Obama
The 79-year-old former president Bush sat down with Bush Hager in Philadelphia to discuss his legacy and the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
During the conversation, which aired Tuesday, April 21, on ‘Today,’ Bush revisited the 2018 funeral of John McCain, where cameras captured him passing a small item to Michelle Obama.
Explaining the reason behind the gesture, Bush noted his tendency to get restless during long ceremonies. “I get a little antsy, as I’m sure you know, and I was sitting next to Michelle. That’s who I sit next to at funerals,” Bush said. “And I was kind of teasing her and stuff, and I slipped her an Altoid. Not as a joke, but I thought she might want one.”
George W Bush reflects on becoming a viral sensation
Former President George W Bush admitted he was initially confused by the massive reaction the moment received online.
He recalled the conversation with his daughter immediately following the event. “And I got in the car afterwards, and you said, ‘You’re trending,’” he added to his daughter. “I didn’t know what trending meant.”
“It turns out, the country is starved to see a white, center-right Republican and an African American center-left Democrat having fun and being able to converse, not as political figures but as citizens,” Bush said. “And I intend to continue to try to do that.”
Michelle Obama earlier described George W Bush as her partner in crime
It may be noted that the former first lady, Michelle Obama, has also spoken warmly about their bond, emphasizing that friendship does not require political agreement.
“We disagree on policy, but we don’t disagree on humanity, we don’t disagree about love and compassion,” she said during a 2019 interview.
“I didn’t realize at the time that anybody noticed what we were doing… He is my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather… I love him to death.” @MichelleObama talks about George W. Bush handing her a cough drop (an old one at that!) at McCain's funeral pic.twitter.com/hS9fV0DHjB
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 11, 2018
“I think that’s true for all of us — it’s just that we get lost in our fear of what’s different."
She once described Bush in an interview with 'Today' by saying, “He is my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather. So we’re together all the time, and I love him to death. He is wonderful man. He is a funny man.”
Regarding the candy itself, she jokingly clarified that it was an "old cough drop" from a White House box.
