Trump Inauguration: Why This George W. Bush Moment Is Going Viral

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.

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