Jenna Bush Hager, the host on TODAY with Jenna & Friends, has shared the screen with close family members, including her sister Barbara, their cousins, and even her husband, Henry Hager. The show is known for its warm and lively conversations, as special guests are usually invited to join Jenna for fun and insightful discussions.
Since its launch, the program has featured a variety of co-hosts, from celebrities to personal friends. Despite the long list of guests, there is one person Jenna has repeatedly invited who has yet to accept — her own father, former President George W. Bush.
Former President George W. Bush has refused to co-host with his daughter
On March 31, during the show, the conversation shifted to Tom Hanks, who had recently appeared in a music video for his son, Chet. Jenna shared that her own father would likely never agree to something like that. She explained that her dad would not have been on board with the idea, making it clear that while he supports her in many ways, appearing on television is not something he is eager to do.
Craig Melvin also pointed out that the former president had already declined to participate in the show’s Family Week. Jenna confirmed this and added that she had even asked him to join her for a special Father’s Day episode, but his response remained uncertain.
Jenna Bush has once hosted her mom on the show
While her father has yet to make an appearance, Jenna’s mother, Laura Bush, has already joined her on the show. On March 25, she sat down with her daughters, Jenna and Barbara, for a discussion on TODAY. The conversation was mainly about their new book, I Loved You First.
During the show, Laura became emotional as she pondered the love she and George W. Bush have always had for their daughters. The book, which Jenna and Barbara co-authored, shares their personal childhood memories and highlights their special relationship with their parents.