Overview
- Bush, in a TODAY interview Tuesday tied to a History Channel project for America’s 250th, revisited slipping Michelle Obama a mint during a 2018 funeral.
- He said he gets antsy at formal events and offered the Altoid as a simple courtesy while seated next to her by protocol.
- He noted the clip went viral and said he plans to keep up the light gestures, Altoids included.
- Bush said the exchange resonated because people are starved to see political opposites share a normal, friendly moment.
- Coverage often links the mint to John McCain’s service, though reports also cite a similar pass at George H. W. Bush’s funeral, and Michelle Obama has called Bush a regular seatmate who shares her values even when they differ on policy.