This archive report was first published on 18 September 2019.
George W. Bush's Heartwarming Gesture to Michelle Obama at John McCain's Funeral ¶
On Saturday, during the memorial service for Senator John McCain at Washington National Cathedral, a heartwarming moment was captured on camera. Former President George W. Bush playfully gave former First Lady Michelle Obama a piece of candy, sending social media into meltdown.
According to eyewitnesses, Bush discreetly handed the candy to Obama, who was seated to his right, after taking it from his wife, former First Lady Laura Bush. The former first lady is seen telling him 'Thank you' as she accepted the candy while her husband, former President Barack Obama, looked on approvingly.
The tender moment inspired Twitter users, who said it represented a time when civility was the norm in politics. 'Seeing George Bush smuggle a piece of candy from his wife Laura to Michelle Obama while trying to be discreet gives me faith in the future of our Republic,' tweeted one Twitter user.
Published on September 18, 2018, the close friendship between the former president and the wife of his successor has played out in public on a few occasions. Most memorably, the two were photographed as Michelle Obama embraced former President Bush during the inauguration of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in September 2016.
On August 25, Senator John McCain died from brain cancer, days shy of his 82nd birthday. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, once rivals of McCain, praised him in eulogies on Saturday and joined his daughter in subtle and not-so-subtle rebukes of President Donald Trump.
