George W. Bush Criticizes Daughter Jina's 'Trivial' TV Program

Jenna Bush Hager wants her father, former President George W. Bush, on her NBC morning show "Jenna & Friends," but he keeps turning her down. The 79-year-old former president recently appeared on NBC's "Manning Cast" via Zoom, but won't make the trip to New York for his daughter's program.

"I've asked him, and maybe I'll ask him publicly to come and be a friend, because he's my dad," Jenna said on air. The show has featured rotating guest co-hosts since her previous partner left in January.

Here's the thing about Bush's TV appearances - they're rare. "He said he's retired, so we were surprised like anyone else to see him on Manning Cast," Jenna explained. Her co-host Savannah Guthrie pointed out that Bush didn't have to leave his Texas home for that appearance, while coming on Jenna's show would mean traveling to New York.

When someone suggested taking the show to Texas instead, Jenna laughed it off. "I don't think 'Jenna & Friends' has that kind of budget," she said. "I think for a former president, we could figure it out. But I'm sure he'll still say no. He says things like, 'I don't watch your silly show.'"

Bush's reluctance stands out because other family members regularly appear on NBC programs. Jenna's husband Henry Hager, twin sister Barbara Bush, and several cousins have all been guests. Former First Lady Laura Bush joined Barbara for a special interview in March, and back in 2018, Jenna interviewed both her father and grandfather on "Today."

The former president did make one notable appearance on "Jenna & Friends" in 2021 during a segment about immigration. "Your mom and I are very proud of your independent views," he told his daughter during the broadcast. "You take time to understand the issues and aren't afraid to express your opinion."

Jenna regularly shares family stories on air. Last October, she told viewers about a Christmas Eve dinner that ended with her 79-year-old mother in tears. "Dad was yelling at us. We couldn't believe it," she recalled. "We looked at him, and he said, 'Your mom is going through a hard time. Go apologize to her.'"

So Bush will chat with football announcers but draws the line at his daughter's morning show. For now, "Jenna & Friends" will have to make do without its most famous potential guest.