During her recent appearance on the Today show, Jenna Bush Hager shared insights into her father, former President George W. Bush's, sense of humor and ability to take a joke. According to Bush Hager, her preferred method of expressing affection is through gentle teasing, a sentiment her father apparently appreciated.
She recounted instances where she and her sister, Barbara, would playfully rib their father, even going as far as showing him sketches from Saturday Night Live that poked fun at him. Surprisingly, the former president embraced the humor, finding amusement in comedic impersonations, such as Will Ferrell's portrayal of him.
One anecdote shared by Bush Hager involved a bumper sticker that humorously criticized her father, with the phrase 'A Village in Texas Is Missing Its Idiot.' Rather than taking offense, President Bush found the sticker hilarious, demonstrating his ability to laugh at himself.
Reflecting on the nature of political satire, Bush Hager emphasized that public figures, especially presidents, should expect to be the subject of jokes and criticism. She highlighted the importance of being able to laugh at oneself and not taking oneself too seriously, especially in the public eye.
Additionally, Bush Hager shared a lighthearted story about her father's competitive spirit, recounting a bike ride where he outpaced her husband, Henry Hager, who was left dealing with a broken chain and a humorous mishap involving the Secret Service.
Despite the mishap, Bush Hager's husband took the incident in stride, jokingly suggesting that the former president might have been trying to 'kill' him with his cycling prowess. The story provided a glimpse into the playful dynamic within the Bush family and the ability to find humor in unexpected situations.
Overall, Jenna Bush Hager's anecdotes shed light on George W. Bush's good-natured attitude towards humor and his willingness to embrace comedic portrayals of himself, showcasing a lighter side of the former president's personality.
