Jenna Bush Hager recently opened up about a humorous moment involving her father, former President George W. Bush, during a family gathering according to The Daily Mail.
On the September 23, 2024, episode of "Today with Hoda & Jenna," she recounted how her father playfully mocked her for a past arrest when she was 20 years old.
During the event, Bush used the opportunity to tease his daughter about her 2001 underage drinking arrest, causing laughter and light-heartedness throughout the gathering.
Jenna, acting as a moderator during the event, found herself being the subject of her father’s jokes as he teased her in front of attendees, including former President Barack Obama.
The playful moment occurred while Jenna moderated a discussion involving her father. George W. Bush took the chance to tease her about her well-known underage drinking arrest in 2001, which happened when she was a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. "Yeah Jen okay, why don't you tell everybody about the time you were arrested," George W. Bush joked, according to Jenna's retelling.
Jenna laughed off the teasing, explaining to Hoda Kotb that her father’s remarks were part of a friendly roast. "It was just a one-hour roast," she explained. Jenna shared how the light teasing was back and forth, with her asking questions, followed by a joke or roast from her father.
One of the notable attendees of the event was former President Barack Obama, who observed the father-daughter dynamic with amusement. Jenna recalled how President Obama approached her and expressed surprise at how she managed the situation.
"He was like, 'How do you do that? Why do you come and do this?'" she shared, adding that Obama had noticed the roasting and remarked on how tough it must be for her.
Jenna responded with good humor, admitting to the former president that it wasn’t always easy. "Yes, it is [hard]," she laughed. Despite the teasing, Jenna reflected positively on the experience and appreciated the fun nature of the family gathering.
During the "Today" episode, Jenna also discussed her own experience with public speaking and how she has grown in confidence over the years. Hoda Kotb praised her co-host's ability to captivate an audience, commenting on Jenna’s knack for turning nerves into a compelling speech. "You usually have a crowd in your hand," Kotb remarked, celebrating Jenna's ability to engage her audience despite any initial nervousness.
Jenna modestly downplayed her talent, stating that her speeches often come from a place of deep emotion. "I usually just get up there and kind of cry," she said with a laugh. However, she emphasized that the recent event with her father was a fun and positive experience, despite the teasing.
The playful banter at the family event harkened back to Jenna’s 2001 arrest for underage drinking. At the time, Jenna, who was 20 years old and a student at the University of Texas, was caught possessing alcohol at a nightclub. The incident made headlines due to the timing, which occurred just months after George W. Bush became president.
Jenna pleaded no contest, paid court fees, performed community service, and attended an alcohol awareness class as part of her legal responsibilities.
A month later, in May 2001, her twin sister Barbara Bush also faced arrest, this time for attempting to purchase alcohol at a restaurant in Austin. The sisters have since been open about these past incidents and referenced them in their 2017 memoir, Sisters First.
Despite the past controversy, Jenna and Barbara Bush have embraced their younger selves' mistakes, often reflecting on them with humor.
During the "Today" episode, Jenna and Hoda touched on the awkward moment in November 2023 when the Bush twins were confronted on the show about their past arrests. Jenna felt that the incident was an attempt to "shame" her and her sister for their past.
"I think they're trying to shame us," Jenna said during that November broadcast, referring to the focus on their underage drinking history. Barbara chimed in, calling the situation "rude." This openness about their past has allowed the sisters to reclaim their narrative and show personal growth.
The recent family event served as a reminder of how humor can be used to reflect on the past and bring families closer together. Jenna Bush Hager’s recollection of her father’s playful teasing highlighted a dynamic that many families share, one where humor serves as a bridge between past mistakes and present growth.
Despite the light roasting, Jenna described the event as a "lot of fun" and appreciated the chance to spend time with her family and former colleagues like President Obama. "I'm happy to be home," Jenna concluded, expressing gratitude for the experience, even with the teasing. As she continues to reflect on her past in the public eye, Jenna shows that humor and humility remain her strengths.
