Former President George W. Bush never expected his bond with former First Lady Michelle Obama to spark such a strong public reaction. But years after a simple hug and a shared piece of candy, their friendship is still making headlines.

A Surprising Public Reaction

In a recent interview, Bush, 74, reflected on their connection, which first caught the public’s attention in 2016 when they shared a warm hug at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

However, he believes their most memorable moment happened at Senator John McCain’s funeral in 2018, when they exchanged a piece of candy.

"It shocked me," Bush admitted. "We got in the car, and I think Barbara or Jenna said, 'Hey, you're trending!' The American people were so surprised that Michelle Obama and I could be friends."

More Than Politics

Bush believes this reaction points to a larger issue. "I think it's a problem that Americans are so polarized in their thinking that they can't imagine a George W. Bush and a Michelle Obama being friends."

Michelle Obama has also spoken about her friendship with Bush. In a 2019 interview, she explained that while they come from different political backgrounds, they share common values.

"I had an opportunity to sit by your father at funerals, the highs and the lows, and we shared stories about our kids and about our parents," she said in a conversation with Jenna Bush Hager.

She added, "Our values are the same. We disagree on policy, but we don't disagree on humanity, we don't disagree about love and compassion."

At a time when politics often divides people, Bush and Obama’s friendship is a reminder that differences don’t have to stand in the way of respect and kindness. 

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