Politics - News Analysis

George W. Bush Handed Michelle Obama A Mint — And Trump Doesn’t Look Too Happy

Things were very chilly in the front row at the late President George H.W. Bush‘s state funeral on Wednesday morning when the Trumps greeted their White House predecessors, but warmed up considerably when former President George W. Bush showed up.

Upon arrival at the National Cathedral, Donald Trump shook hands with former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who looked less than happy. Trump did not acknowledge, nor was he acknowledged by, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

But when former President George W. Bush arrived, he graciously greeted all of the former First Families in attendance, and shared a special moment with Michelle Obama. He slipped her what observers identified as a candy or a mint, which Michelle Obama accepted with a smile.

The exchange was reminiscent of a similar moment at Sen. John McCain‘s funeral, where Bush handed Michelle what turned out to be an Altoid. That charming moment became a viral sensation, and a symbol of a bygone era, two years ago, when presidents could put aside political differences when the occasion demanded it.

“I didn’t realize at the time that anybody noticed what we were doing,” Michelle Obama later said of the exchange during an interview on NBC’s “Today” show.

“President Bush and I … we are forever seat mates because of protocol, that’s how we sit at all the official functions so he is my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather,” Michelle Obama said.

Twitter had some fun with it:

WATCH:

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