Jenna Bush Hager recalls showing Sasha and Malia Obama around White House in throwback photos

‘Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful and classy transition,' one person commented

Chelsea Ritschel
New York
Wednesday 11 November 2020 16:21 GMT
Comments
Jenna Bush Hager shares photos showing Obama girls the White House for the first time
Jenna Bush Hager shares photos showing Obama girls the White House for the first time (Getty)
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jenna Bush Hager has reflected on the experience of showing Sasha and Malia Obama around the White House for the first time 12 years ago, after their father Barack Obama was elected president.

On Tuesday, Hager shared multiple throwback photos to Instagram, where she, her sister Barbara and their mother Laura can be seen showing Barack and Michelle Obama’s daughters “all the secrets of the White House”.

"Twelve years ago (!!!) today - I drove from my job teaching in Baltimore to meet my mom and sister in DC to show the next residents of this house their new home,” the 38-year-old wrote. “Barbara and I taught the girls how to slide down the banister and all the secrets of the White House we loved as little girls - the best hiding spots, the movie theatre, and bowling alley.”

According to Hager, her and her sister also showed the Obama girls, who were seven and 10 at the time, which rooms would be theirs.

“We showed them our rooms that would soon be theirs. Twelve years! PS I love my ‘teacher outfit,’ it makes me nostalgic for that time,” Hager concluded.

In the first photo, Hager can be seen showing Sasha and Malia the view from the White House balcony, while subsequent photos see the Bush family showing the then-president elect’s daughters how to slide down the banister.

"We spent the afternoon with them," Hager, a host on the Today Show, said Wednesday of the moment 12 years ago. “We taught them all of the little secrets that little girls love about the White House. We showed them the florist shop, we showed them how to slide down the banister - me and my cousin's favourite activity.”

Although Hager and her sister were in college when their father, George W Bush, was elected president, she said she remembers enjoying the White House as a young girl when her grandfather George HW Bush was president.

“And it was just a really beautiful day because Barbara and I saw ourselves in those little girls. We were the same age that they were when my grandpa became president, so to see their wonder at this historic house and also their nervousness, you just related with them so much,” she said on the Today Show.

The photos are especially poignant now as President Trump refuses to concede to a peaceful transition of power following the results of the 2020 presidential election.

“Your family showed nothing but class and grace in the transition process. Thank you!” one person commented on the photos.

Another said: “A peaceful, lovely transition of power. Thank you for sharing.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in