Jenna Bush Hager recently shared that her father, former President George W. Bush, is not a viewer of her daytime talk show, “Today with Jenna & Friends.” During the November 19, 2023 episode, she humorously recounted his dismissive remarks about the program, indicating he is unlikely to guest host in the future.
The segment unfolded as Hager and her co-host Hoda Kotb celebrated the fifth anniversary of their show with a festive event at The Loren at Pink Beach in Bermuda. Hager disclosed that her father has often turned down her invitations to join her on set, saying, “He says things like, ‘I don’t watch your dumb show.’” This candid admission prompted laughter from co-hosts Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Carson Daly, with Daly humorously noting, “That’s why we love him.”
Despite her father’s lack of enthusiasm for her show, Hager remains hopeful. After witnessing him appear on a segment of “Manningcast” hosted by Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, she expressed renewed determination to persuade him to guest on “Today.” She remarked, “I’ve actually asked him, and maybe I’ll do a public ask for him to come and be a friend since he’s my father.”
In a light-hearted exchange, Roker suggested that Hager could travel to Texas for the show, where the former president could join via video from his art studio. Hager humorously questioned the feasibility of such an idea, asking, “Do we have that kind of money?” Melvin chimed in with confidence, stating, “I feel like for a former president we could find it.” Roker even proposed using mobile phones for a makeshift interview setup, offering to accompany Hager for the session. Despite the playful banter, Hager chuckled as she acknowledged her father’s likely response: “I’m sure he’ll still say no.”
The conversation about President Bush’s viewing habits has become a recurring theme on the show. In a previous interaction on Today, he had acknowledged that he watches his daughter’s segments “occasionally,” emphasizing his pride in her work. Hager, who is also a mother to three children—Mila, 12, Poppy, 10, and Hal, 7—continues to balance her family life with her television career while navigating the unique dynamics of having a former president as her father.
As the discussion unfolded, the warmth and humor between Hager and her co-hosts highlighted the candid nature of their show. Their interactions reflect not only a familial bond but also the lighthearted nature of daytime television, where personal stories and humor often take center stage.
