George W. Bush opens up about Michelle Obama friendship on Jimmy Kimmel Live

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 4/22/21

Former President of the United States George W. Bush calls former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama a friend, even though they do not have each other's phone numbers.

The 74-year-old virtually joined Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday night under the guise of promoting Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants, but the two discussed what felt like everything else under the sun before actually talking about the new book. Among those topics was Bush's friendship with Obama and how they formed an unlikely bond.

"I go to a lot of funerals, and so does she," the 43rd president said. "Because of protocol, I'm always stuck next to her—or she's always stuck next to me—and I get a little antsy during the long-winded eulogies, so I start cracking a few jokes. Funeral jokes. And she seems to think they're funny, so I'm delighted."

Bush confirmed that former president Barack Obama, who took over office in 2008 after Bush served his two terms, is not friends with his wife and former first lady, Laura, because "he doesn't sit next to her in the funerals."

Bush previously talked about his relationship with the Obamas for the most recent episode of CBS Sunday Morning, where he also showed viewers around his ranch where he paints and doubled down on how much immigration reform means to him:

With Kimmel, the proud Texan touched on his part-ownership of MLB's Texas Rangers and his deep adoration for baseball as well as Out of Many, One, which features the stories and oil-painted portraits (by Bush) of 43 Americans. Watch the full 20-minute interview below.