In a moment that proves even former First Daughters aren’t immune to a good old-fashioned dad roast, Jenna Bush Hager sent the Today show studio into hysterics this Wednesday. The beloved host and daughter of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, revealed the brutally honest—and hilarious—reason her father refuses to co-host her morning program.

The revelation came fresh on the heels of a rare television appearance by the former President earlier in the week. On Monday night, sports fans were surprised to see George W. Bush pop up on the “ManningCast,” the popular alternative Monday Night Football broadcast hosted by NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning. Broadcasting via Zoom from his art studio, the 79-year-old former Commander-in-Chief looked relaxed and jovial as he chatted about football, art, and life in retirement.

Naturally, seeing her father so willing to chat with the Manning brothers prompted a bit of jealousy back at NBC’s Studio 1A. During Wednesday’s broadcast of Today with Jenna & Friends, the conversation inevitably turned to why the former President hasn’t graced his daughter’s show with a similar guest spot, especially since the show has been welcoming a rotating cast of “friends” since Hoda Kotb’s departure earlier this year.

Jenna, never one to shy away from self-deprecating humor, decided to clear the air. She admitted that it certainly isn’t for a lack of trying.

“I’ve actually asked him, and maybe I’ll do a public ask for him to come and be a ‘friend’ since he’s my father,” Jenna told her co-hosts, noting the irony that he had time for the Mannings but not for her.

When her colleagues pointed out that perhaps travel was the issue—Monday’s appearance was a remote Zoom call, while Today would require a trip to New York City—Jenna didn’t let him off the hook that easily. Al Roker, ever the problem solver, suggested a road trip.

“Why don’t you go to Texas and do the show from there?” Roker proposed, referencing the Bush family home where the former President spends his time painting and enjoying retirement.

While Craig Melvin chimed in that the network could surely find the budget for a former President, Jenna shut down the hope with a hilarious reality check. It turns out, logistics aren’t the main barrier keeping George W. Bush off the airwaves of NBC’s fourth hour. It’s his opinion of the content.

“Okay, I’m sure he’ll still say no,” Jenna laughed, preparing the audience for the punchline. “He says things like, ‘I don’t watch your dumb show.’”

The blunt delivery of the insult caused an immediate eruption of laughter on the set. It was the kind of savage, unfiltered comment that only a parent can get away with. Carson Daly, wiping away a laugh, summed up the general sentiment perfectly: “That’s why we love him!”

The “dumb show” comment, while shocking to some, is perfectly in character for the relationship between Jenna and her father. Over the years, the two have shared a public dynamic defined by mutual teasing and deep affection. George W. Bush has long been known for his dry, often self-effacing wit, and he clearly enjoys keeping his daughter humble, regardless of her national fame.

This isn’t the first time Jenna has shared her father’s “constructive criticism” regarding her broadcasting career. The Today show’s fourth hour, often known for its wine glasses, celebrity gossip, and lighthearted lifestyle segments, is a far cry from the Situation Room. It appears the former President prefers his media consumption a little more serious—or, in the case of the ManningCast, a little more football-focused.

Jenna went on to explain that her father often feigns ignorance about her work, using retirement as his shield. “He said he was retired, so I was surprised as anyone to see him on Monday night,” she joked, pretending to be stung by his sudden availability for the NFL stars.

Despite the “dumb show” digs, the bond between the Bush family members remains tight. While he might mock the program, George W. Bush has been a supporter of Jenna’s success in his own way. He has appeared on Today in the past, most notably for more serious interview segments or to discuss his book projects and immigration reform. However, the idea of him sitting in the co-host chair, sipping Chardonnay and discussing the latest viral TikTok trends, seems to be a bridge too far for the 79-year-old.

The roasting dynamic actually goes both ways. Jenna has frequently shared anecdotes about her parents that humanize them in ways official biographies never could. From stories about her “wild twin” days in the White House to her dad’s obsession with his painting, she has turned the former First Family into relatable figures.

In a previous segment, Jenna recounted how her father loves to roast her even in front of other dignitaries. She shared a story about an event where she was moderating a discussion, and her father spent the entire time poking fun at her, much to the amusement of the audience. It seems that for George W. Bush, the title of “Dad” supersedes “President,” and a dad’s primary job is to embarrass his children whenever the opportunity arises.

The audience reaction to Jenna’s admission has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media lit up with comments from fans who found the interaction relatable. Many shared their own stories of parents who don’t quite “get” their jobs or who keep them grounded with similar blunt honesty. In an era of carefully curated celebrity personas, the authenticity of a father telling his daughter he doesn’t watch her “dumb show” is refreshingly real.

Furthermore, the comment highlights the distinct shift in the Today show’s atmosphere. Since taking the helm of the fourth hour with a rotating cast of friends, Jenna has leaned into this kind of personal, vulnerable storytelling. By sharing the “snub,” she invites the audience into her family living room, making viewers feel like part of the inner circle.

As for whether the “public ask” will work? It seems unlikely. If the former President wouldn’t do it for Hoda Kotb, and won’t do it for his own daughter because of the “dumb” content, NBC producers might have a hard time booking him. However, the “dumb show” comment has inadvertently provided the show with one of its best viral moments of the month, proving that even when he’s not watching, George W. Bush still knows how to make headlines.

For now, Jenna will have to settle for her father’s love and pride, even if it doesn’t translate to viewership numbers. And as for the “dumb show,” it continues to be a ratings hit, perhaps fueled in part by viewers tuning in to see what other family secrets Jenna might spill next. After all, if the former President isn’t watching, someone has to tell him what he’s missing.