Originally appeared on E! Online
George W. Bush has grabbed the internet’s attention once again.
As the former Commander-in-Chief attended the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, where Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, viewers made note of the 43rd POTUS’ particularly animated expressions during the Jan. 20 ceremony.
At one point during the inauguration, Bush—who served in the Oval Office from 2001 to 2009—darted his eyes from side to side as he tried to contain a playful grin, sparking a wave of memes on social media.
“Idgaf what anyone says,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I love George Bush and his 10-year-old-Christmas-concert-spirit.”
Another user joked, “He’s like that kid at the school play that sees his parents and can’t stop winking and making faces.”
One person shared a comical theory about the 78-year-old’s expression involving former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was seated directly in front of Bush.
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“George W. Bush looks like he put a whoopee cushion on Hilary’s seat,” the user joked, “and he’s anxiously waiting for her to sit on it.”
Bush also had a viral moment earlier in January at the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100. After Bush greeted his successor, Barack Obama, with a friendly tap on the belly, the internet went wild with memes highlighting the heartwarming exchange.
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While it is customary for former presidents and first ladies to attend the swearing in of the incoming leader, there was one notable absence at Trump’s inauguration. Former first lady Michelle Obama opted not to accompany her husband to Washington, D.C., focusing instead on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—which happened to coincide with the presidential proceedings—in a post on social media.
“Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service always inspires me,” the former FLOTUS wrote alongside a post on Instagram Jan. 20. “This #MLKDay, I hope you’ll join me and @WhenWeAllVote in honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy by getting involved in your community.”
The caption was accompanied by a photo of the late civil rights activist as well as one of his most famous quotes, reading, “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Keep reading to see which notable figures were in attendance at the 2025 Presidential Inauguration.
Barron Trump, Melania Trump & Donald Trump
Ivanka Trump
Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Donald Trump & Melania Trump
“Welcome home,” President Joe Biden said as he and First Lady Jill Biden greeted the Trumps at the White House.
Usha Vance, Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris & JD Vance
Michael Boulous & Tiffany Trump
Pregnant Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos joined her father at the St. John’s Church services.
Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner
Former advisor Ivanka was joined at the services by husband Jared Kushner and their kids Arabella, Joseph and Theodore.
Elon Musk
Trump pal Elon Musk took in the view as he arrived inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar & Donald Trump
Before delivering her speech, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar led Biden and Trump out of the White House. “While we have major differences of opinions on policy and the like,” she said of chairing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, “I want to make sure this works,” Klobuchar said of the ceremony.”
Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush & Laura Bush
George W. Bush, Laura Bush & Barack Obama
Mike Pence
Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence turned up solo for the ceremony.
Eric Adams
New York City mayor Eric Adams worked the room at the Capitol.
Janet Jones & Wayne Gretzky
Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet Jones were among those who decided to take a shot at watching the inauguration.
Rupert Murdoch & Elena Zhukova
Former Fox Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch (joined by wife Elena Zhukova) was among the billionaire businesspeople in attendance.
Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk
Tech talk: Tesla CEO Musk socialized with Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
Robert F. Kennedy
Trump’s pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy came to watch him get sworn in.
Mitch McConnell & Elaine Chao
Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell held tight to wife Elaine Chao.
Jake Paul & Logan Paul
Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk
Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr.
Barron Trump
Trump’s youngest child—New York University student Barron—traveled to Washington, D.C. to watch him take the oath of office for the second time.
Christopher Macchio
Opera tenor Christopher Macchio was tapped to sing the National Anthem. “I was looking forward to seeing 100,000 people spread across the National Mall,” he acknowledged to the Associated Press ahead of the events. “Unfortunately I won’t be getting that visual while I perform, but it’s still going to be such a tremendous honor.”
Shou Zi Chew
Hours after TikTok went dark (and then restored service) in the United States, CEO Shou Zi Chew turned up at the inauguration.
Tim Cook, Vivek Ramaswamy & Kristi Noem
Apple CEO Tim Cook posed alongside onetime presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem.
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