George W. Bush Congratulates Daughter Jenna on Today Show Debut

Jenna Bush Hager celebrated her first day as the new co-host of Today With Hoda And Jenna on Monday, April 8 following Kathie Lee Gifford’s departure. The 37-year-old received some sweet words of encouragement from her parents, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush.

“Hey Jenna, your old dad here on film to tell you how much I love and how proud I am of you. I know you’ll do a fabulous job,” former President Bush said in a video.

Her mother was just as proud, sharing even more wise words with her daughter when she said, “Jenna, your mother and your mother-in-law are calling to say we’re so proud of you.”

Bush Hager also revealed her dad texted her a sweet message the morning before her first show, saying, “You go, girl. You’ve got them, girl. Very proud dad.”

The mother of two also got a message from her twin sister, Barbara Bush, who said how proud she was of her sibling.

“To me, being born a twin was the luckiest thing because our day-to-day was very normal, but we were obviously born into circumstances that were pretty unusual.

“It was incredible to have someone to walk through life with. She had a huge imagination, which made our lives so much fun because we then created this imaginary world together,” she said in the video.

“I’m so proud of my sister and I’m so excited for her on this new adventure. I’m thrilled that she and Hoda [Kotb] will get to work together because Jenna is such a good sister to me, but, in many ways, such a good sister to her colleagues and friends.”

Bush Hager shared an Instagram post on Sunday, April 7 ahead of her big debut. “OMG. THIS is happening. I couldn’t be more honored and thrilled to be a part of something new,” she wrote.

Bush Hager has of course been a part of the show for some time, but this is her debut as a co-host of the last hour of The Today Show.

Bush Hager added, “And yes, excited..and nervous in the most beautiful way. Oh, and I get to sit next to the force that is @hodakotb! Follow along with us @hodaandjenna.”