Jenna Bush Hager Reveals the Hilarious Nickname Her High School Boyfriend Had for George Bush: 'My Dad Turned Red'

Mar. 15, 2025

From Left: George W. Bush with Jenna Bush Hager on ‘Today’ on April 20, 2021.Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Jenna Bush Hager and George W. Bush on Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Jenna Bush Hager’s former fling made a big mistake!

On Monday, Feb. 17, the news personality, 43, revealed on an episode ofToday with Jenna & Friendsthat her high school boyfriend once called her father, former PresidentGeorge W. Bush, a hilarious nickname that left him red in the face.

While chatting with NBC correspondentWillie Geist, Bush Hager said, “I had a boyfriend in high school who called my dad ‘Big George’ once.”

Geist, 49, reacted in shock, asking, “He did? How long did that last?”

Jenna Bush Hager on ‘Today’ on July 24, 2023.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

TODAY – Pictured: Jenna Bush Hager on Monday, July 24, 2023

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

The former first daughter replied, “He lasted a long time because he was handsome. But my dad — you know when you’re in those moments — it only works when you’re young, because when you’re in those moments, you’re like, ‘Oh god, this is not good.’ But you can somewhat brush it over.”

As for how the nickname went over with her dad, she said he “turned red.”

Geist then pointed out her father’s political standing during the alleged interaction. “Your dad was also governor at that time,” he said. “He was governor of Texas and some teenager is going, ‘What’s up, Big George?’ I’m impressed he lasted.”

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Bush Hager agreed, noting that the situation “was not good.”

Now, the talk show host is married toHenry Chase Hager, with whom sheshares three kids: daughtersMilaandPoppy, and sonHal. The couple met in 2004 before they went on to tie the knot at her family’s Prairie Chapel Ranch in Texas in May 2008.

From Left: Jenna Bush Hager and Henry Hager attend the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Gala on Sept. 26, 2019.Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Jenna Bush Hager and Henry Hager

“Actually, Carrie, who’s one of our producers, was there, and she’s lovely, and her husband said, ‘No, Henry, I know Barbara and Jenna would act like that to you, but Carrie would never lie to me, so you need to go to the hospital,' " the talk show host continued.

source: people.com