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:
Bush 43 handing candy to Michelle Obama and ignoring 45. #GeorgeHWBushFuneral [1] pic.twitter.com/32XKeb8vb8 [2]
— Joan Smith (@TVandSheetMasks) December 5, 2018 [3]
Melania trump when Bush gave MichelleObama candy#GeorgeHWBushFuneral [1] pic.twitter.com/lvor0Y83t5 [4]
— UltraInstinct (@shanuddin8888) December 5, 2018 [5]
I love this pic also, the2pathetic frustrated/angry while Bush (who is here for the funeral of his father) gives candy to Michelle Obama and both and Barack shares a moment of humanity pic.twitter.com/anEkKaYaZm [6] #GeorgeHWBushFuneral [1]
— ; (Must see: #LesChatouilles) (@NBturtlebattle) December 5, 2018 [7]
tRumpf’s look says it all: What about meeeeeeeee? Where’s MY candy????
— Blue November 2020 Is Coming (@durisdeer) December 5, 2018 [8]
The Obamas: You bring the candy?
George W. Bush: Of course!
Trump: Can I have some?
Bush: Who invited this guy?
#GeorgeHWBushFuneral [1] pic.twitter.com/vrq4JcVX5L [9]
— Cameron Grant (@coolghost101) December 5, 2018 [10]
George Bush totally ignoring and reaching over Donald Trump to give Michelle Obama candy is a whole dang mood. pic.twitter.com/cRL3Wx3kRX [11]
— Sarah (@thetigersez) December 5, 2018 [12]
WATCH:
This whole interaction with George W Bush giving @MichelleObama [13] a piece of candy is amazing. He was way more focused on that (starts pulling it out of his pocket early) and making the Obama’s laugh than giving @realDonaldTrump [14] the time of day. #GeorgeHWBushFuneral [1] pic.twitter.com/r1IeL1QZHC [15]
— Kevin James Coleman (@kevinjcoleman7) December 5, 2018 [16]