Jenna Bush Hager likens Biden's exit decision to George HW Bush's 'crushed' response to 1992 loss

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jenna Bush Hager sympathized with President Joe Biden over his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race, passing the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic ticket.

On the Monday, July 22, episode of 'Today with Hoda & Jenna,' the granddaughter of 41st President George HW Bush compared the Democratic incumbent's "difficult decision" to her grandfather's "crushed" response when he lost the 1992 presidential election to Bill Clinton.

Biden announced his historic decision to exit the re-election bid through a statement released on social media, deeming it was in the "best interest" of the Democratic Party and the nation. Shortly after, he endorsed Harris for the presidential race. The octogenarian was facing mounting pressure to end the race from Democratic donors and elected officials since flunking the debate in June.

Jenna Bush Hager defends Joe Biden, saying he is 'human'

"You know, I think it's so interesting because we've become a country that is so divided about politics that sometimes It's hard to think, 'Oh my gosh, he's a human,'" Hager said in the latest episode of 'The Today Show.'

She then cited a tweet from the president's granddaughter, Naomi Biden, shared after his withdrawal, in which she voiced pride in her "pop" for serving the nation with wholehearted dedication and outstanding distinction.

The daughter of Hunter Biden also referred to the POTUS as the "most effective president" of her lifetime and the "most effective and impactful public servant" in the history of the USA.

"I think even in the depths of us having these political opinions and obviously, it has come to a fever, we've got to remember that people are human. And that, to her, that's her grandpa," Hager added, as per Daily Mail.

Biden's exit reminds Jenna Bush Hager of grandfather George HW Bush's response after 1992 defeat

Hager likened Biden's current situation to what her grandfather went through when he lost his second re-election bid in 1992.

"I think he [Biden] kind of reminds everybody of their grandpa. He reminds me a little bit of my grandfather, who I'll never forget... when in 1992 he worked so hard and he wasn't elected and he was crushed," she recalled.

"And he wrote a letter to President Clinton, which went around on the internet, but basically, the end of it was, 'You are my President and today I'm rooting for you.'"

She further told Hoda that the president's decision was "admirable" because many of the one-termers would feel like their job was not done, and yet Biden made the "hard decision," for the good of the country.

Jenna Bush Hager recalls White House visit on Joe Biden's invitation

Hager visited the White House for an Elton John concert upon Biden's invitation in 2022, accompanied by her daughters, Mila Hager and Poppy Louse Hager, and husband, Henry Chase Hager.

Recounting it on the show, she emphasized the way Biden turned into a good host despite their political differences, moving a trip down memory lane.

"You know, my mom was not part of the same political party, and yet, he invited all of us to the White House, and we drove up, and he showed our girls around, and, of course, Poppy was like, "Can I see the pool?" Hager recalled the visit.

In a 2022 episode of 'The Tonight Show,'' the daughter of former President George W Bush revealed how the president captured a photo for her during the visit. Seeing a portrait of her mother, Laura Bush, she asked to take a picture. Surprisingly, Biden snapped the shot as she posed in front of her mother's official White House portrait along with her daughters.

Biden,who was absent from the public sphere since his Covid-19 diagnosis last week, is expected to speak to the nation later this week to elaborate on his decision to end the race.