Former President George W. Bush has offered candid remarks about his daughter Jenna Bush Hager’s television program, sparking laughter among the “Today” show hosts with his straightforward opinions.
Jenna Bush Hager, who is 44, shared her father’s blunt feedback during the November 19, 2025, episode of “Today.” She informed co-hosts Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Carson Daly that her 79-year-old father has consistently declined invitations to appear on the show. According to her, Bush often comments, “I don’t watch your dumb show,” which amused her colleagues. Daly noted that this level of honesty is part of why they appreciate the former president.
The conversation arose after Bush made a surprise appearance on the “ManningCast” podcast with Peyton and Eli Manning earlier in the week. Bush Hager expressed surprise at seeing her father on the podcast because he had previously told her he was retired from television. He participated from his art studio in Texas. During the podcast, when Eli Manning asked about his preparation time, Bush humorously replied that he spent about 10 minutes getting ready and jested about not seeing the Mannings’ faces in commercials, referencing their frequent advertisements.
The “Today” co-hosts brainstormed ideas to persuade the former president to join his daughter’s show. Roker suggested that the team could travel to Texas to accommodate him. When Bush Hager questioned the feasibility of such a trip, Melvin humorously suggested they might find the budget for a former president. Roker also proposed joining Bush Hager for the interview and mentioned using iPhones if necessary. Despite these suggestions, Bush Hager doubted her father would agree, laughing that he would still decline.
Despite his light-hearted criticism, Bush has been a key supporter of his daughter’s broadcasting career. When Bush Hager’s longtime co-host Hoda Kotb announced her departure from “Today” after 26 years with NBC, Bush Hager turned to her father for support. She recalled an emotional phone call with him, during which he initially feared something terrible had occurred. He then reassured her that Kotb’s departure was timely and that Bush Hager would be fine. He told her, “It’s your turn. It’s OK,” she recounted, tearfully, during a September 2024 episode. Kotb, then 60, stood and applauded in response to Bush’s supportive words.
Kotb later mentioned that Bush Hager was anxious when they initially started working together and contacted her father. Bush expressed his happiness for his daughter but jokingly reminded her that Kotb was the veteran and she should be comfortable sharing the stage.
Bush’s viewing habits of his daughter’s show have been a topic on “Today” multiple times over the years. During a 2017 appearance with then-co-host Kathie Lee Gifford, Bush was directly asked if he watched his daughter daily. He responded no, prompting Bush Hager to remind him that he was expected to say yes and that he does watch occasionally. Bush clarified that Gifford’s question was specific about daily viewing. He confirmed that he does watch sometimes and emphasized his pride in his daughter.
During a 2021 appearance with former First Lady Laura Bush, the president elaborated on his pride, stating, “I never imagined she would be a star, and we’re very proud of her and love her.” Bush has made several appearances on “Today” over the years, with his latest in 2021 discussing immigration.
Bush Hager has been hosting “Today with Jenna & Friends” with various celebrity co-hosts since Kotb’s January departure. Her mother, Laura Bush, and twin sister, Barbara Bush, have both appeared on the program, though her father has not. Bush Hager and Barbara are the only children of George and Laura Bush.
Guest host Justin Sylvester recalled during an October episode that Bush Hager once nearly succeeded in getting her father on the show via telephone. Sylvester said Bush responded enthusiastically when asked, telling them to get the party started, which Sylvester found endearing. Bush Hager has been part of the “Today” show for over 16 years and is a prominent figure in morning television. The show airs weekdays, with “Today with Jenna & Friends” broadcasting during the fourth hour at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. For now, it seems the former president intends to continue his retirement from regular television appearances.