During Donald Trump’s inauguration, Barack Obama, who was president before Trump, maintained a careful eye on George W. Bush, who was also president before Trump. Obama did this in a fun way.
Obama, who is 63 years old, was asked if Bush, who is 78 years old, acted like Trump, who is also 78 years old, when Trump was inaugurated into office. This question was posed after Obama left the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, January 20.
In a tape that she published on X, the former president playfully told Washington Post writer Emily Davies, “Just barely.”
The query referred to another video that Davies released earlier that day, which showed a single Obama standing in line for the inauguration behind Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, who is also 78 years old.
A staff member asked George, “Will you be on your best behavior?” as the former first lady and previous presidents were getting ready to join the gathering.
Obama said, “Nope,” on his behalf.
The former first lady, who is 61 years old, was not present at the event on Monday, even though George’s fun encounters with Michelle Obama have gone viral in the past.
“There’s no overstating her sentiments regarding [Trump]. On January 15, a source told PEOPLE, “She doesn’t put on a happy face and pretend for the sake of following the rules.” Michelle does not do something just because it is required, part of the routine, or a custom.
According to the source, Michelle “doesn’t feel the need to be a public figure anymore.” She served as first lady from 2009 to 2017, during Barack Obama’s term.
The source also pointed out that Trump has a history of verbally abusing the Obamas and making derogatory remarks about people of color, which may have also played a role in Michelle’s absence.
Despite everything, Barack and George seemed to have a good time together during the inauguration and at other subsequent occasions.
On January 9, at Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, all of the living U.S. presidents and all of the surviving first women (with the exception of Michelle, who had a schedule issue) paid their respects to the 39th president of the United States in the National Cathedral in Washington.
George and Laura were walking to their seats on the same row as Barack, who was already sat next to Donald and Melania Trump. As George passed by, he gave Barack a polite tap on the belly with his knuckles.
Barack served two consecutive terms as president after George’s administration, which lasted from 2001 to 2009.
In a 2018 interview with Today, Michelle called George “my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather.”
She went on to say at that time, “We are always together, and I love him more than anything,” describing the 43rd president as a “wonderful” and “funny” person.
George told PEOPLE that year, “[Michelle] kind of likes my sense of humor.” I instantly like someone who appreciates my sense of humor.
