Michelle Obama Explains That Second Candy-Passing Moment With George W. Bush

Okay, backstory: Back in August, George W. Bush sneakily passed Michelle Obama a piece of candy during the late Senator John McCain’s funeral service. The moment went instantly viral, and Americans perceived it as a touching moment of solidarity between parties. Then Bush repeated the moment at his father George H.W. Bush’s funeral, slipping a piece of candy into Obama’s palm while he was shaking her hand.

Getty ImagesThe Washington Post

Now, Michelle Obama is clarifying exactly what was going on with all of the church-pew-candy-passing. While on the California leg of her Becoming tour, Obama spoke fondly of Bush, noting the sweet meaning behind him passing her a mint at his father’s own funeral.

“He has the presence of mind and the sense of humor to bring me a mint,” Obama said of the former president, per ABC7. “And he made it a point to give me that mint right then and there, and that’s the beauty of George Bush.”

Obama & Bush At NMAAHC Opening

Getty ImagesDavid Hume Kennerly

In October of this year, Obama discussed her close relationship with the former president while making an appearance on TODAY to interview with Bush’s daughter, Jenna Bush Hager.

“I’d love if we as a country could get back to the place where we didn’t demonize people who disagreed with us. Because that’s essentially the difference between Republicans and Democrats,” she began. “That doesn’t make me evil. And that doesn’t make him, you know, stupid—it’s just a disagreement and that’s how I feel about your father. You know? He’s a beautiful, funny, kind, sweet man.”

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