Former President George W. Bush isn’t holding back when it comes to his daughter’s television program, and his latest remark has the “Today” show host laughing at his unfiltered opinion.
The 43-year-old Jenna Bush Hager revealed her father’s candid assessment during the November 19, 2025, episode of “Today”, telling co-hosts Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Carson Daly that the 79-year-old former president has repeatedly declined her invitations to appear on the show. Bush Hager said her father says things like “I don’t watch your dumb show,” prompting her colleagues to burst into laughter. Daly responded that this honesty is exactly why they love the former president.
The topic came up after Bush made an unexpected appearance on the “ManningCast” podcast featuring Peyton and Eli Manning earlier in the week. Bush Hager said she was surprised to see her father on the show, since he’d previously told her he was retired from television. The former president participated from his art studio in Texas, joining the brothers via video call without needing to travel. During the podcast, Bush displayed his trademark humor when Eli Manning asked how long he’d prepared for the interview. Bush answered that he’d spent about 10 minutes getting ready, then joked that he was pleased not to see the brothers’ faces in a television commercial, referencing their numerous advertising campaigns.
Bush Hager’s co-hosts tried brainstorming ways to convince the former president to join her program. Guthrie noted that Bush didn’t have to leave his house for the podcast appearance, suggesting this convenience likely influenced his decision to participate. Roker proposed that the “Today” team could travel to Texas to accommodate him. When Bush Hager questioned whether they had the budget for such a trip, Melvin joked they could probably find the resources for a former president. Roker even offered to join Bush Hager for the interview and suggested they could use a couple of iPhones if necessary. Despite these creative solutions, Bush Hager remained doubtful her father would accept, laughing that she’s sure he’ll still say no.
Despite his playful criticism, Bush has been a significant 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, the host turned to her father for comfort and guidance. Bush Hager recalled calling him while extremely emotional, saying her father initially worried something terrible had happened because of how upset she was. He then reassured her that Kotb was leaving because the timing was right and that Bush Hager would be fine. He told her, “It’s your turn. It’s OK,” she recounted through tears during a September 2024 episode. Kotb, who was 61 at the time, stood and applauded in response to Bush’s encouraging words.
The former president also provided crucial advice when his daughter felt uncertain about accepting the co-hosting position alongside Kotb in 2019. Kotb later recalled that Bush Hager was nervous when they first began working together and reached out to her father. Bush expressed happiness for his daughter but jokingly reminded her that the NBC veteran Kotb was the star and that she should be comfortable sharing the spotlight.
Bush’s television viewing habits regarding his daughter’s show have been discussed on “Today” multiple times over the years. During a 2017 appearance with then-co-host Kathie Lee Gifford, Bush was asked directly if he watched his daughter every day. He replied no, which prompted Bush Hager to interject that he was supposed to say yes and to remind him that he does sometimes watch. Bush clarified that Gifford had specifically asked about daily viewing. He confirmed that he occasionally watched his daughter on the program and emphasized that he was extremely proud of her.
During a 2021 appearance with his wife, former First Lady Laura Bush, the president expanded on his pride in his daughter’s accomplishments. “I never imagined she would be a star, and we’re very proud of her and love her,” he said during that visit. The former president has made several appearances on “Today” over the years, most recently in 2021 to discuss immigration.
Bush Hager has been hosting “Today with Jenna & Friends” with various celebrity co-hosts since Kotb’s departure in January. Her mother, Laura Bush, and twin sister, Barbara Bush, have both appeared as guests on the program, though her father has not. Bush Hager and Barbara are the only children of George and Laura Bush. The host shares three children with husband Henry Hager: daughters Mila, 12, and Poppy, 10, and son Hal, 7.
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 more than 16 years and has established herself as a prominent figure in morning television. The program airs weekdays, with “Today with Jenna & Friends” broadcasting during the fourth hour at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. For now, it appears the former president plans to stick with his retirement from regular television appearances, making exceptions only for occasional podcasts filmed from his Texas art studio.
