Jenna Bush Hager Finally Addresses Controversy Surrounding Father and Ellen DeGeneres Being Seen Together

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Months ago, during the NFL regular season, the former president, George W. Bush, was seen sitting next to Ellen DeGeneres in a private box at a Dallas Cowboys game.

Instantly, people took to social media to criticize the daytime television host for associating with someone who had implemented anti-LGBTQ legislation and policy during their time in office. DeGeneres responded to the critiques, explaining that people can be friends, despite having different points of view and opinions. Well, now, the president's daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, has gotten in on the action.

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Bush Hager appeared alongside her co-host on the Today Show, Hoda Kotb, on Andy Cohen's late-night program, where the two addressed a number of things, including the awkward interview with Nick and Vanessa Lachey.

One other topic, though, that was brought up included the unlikely sighting of President Bush and DeGeneres. At the time of the incident, Bush Hager had just had a child and therefore, was on maternity leave. She hadn't addressed the backlash since it happened. Well, on Cohen's show, she finally had the chance to.

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In speaking on the sighting, Bush Hager echoed some of the same sentiments that Degeneres shared only months prior. She felt as though it's entirely possible to be friends with others that don't necessarily have the same opinions, citing decency and respect at primary tenants to a productive society.

"Well, I mean, I had just had a baby so to be totally honest I didn't pay that much attention to it," she said. "But I do think that people can have different beliefs and still be friends," she added. "And I also think decency and humanity should be at the basis of all conversations."

Even back in November, Bush Hager spoke to People Magazine, praising the relationship. "My dad likes people that think differently than him, that believe differently, and people are surprised by this," she said. "But my parents raised both [twin sister] Barbara and I to have our own opinions," she said.

Gettyimages | Brooks Kraft

When the backlash broke several months ago, DeGeneres felt compelled to address people's reactions on her show. "Here's the thing: I'm friends with George Bush. In fact, I'm friends with a lot of people who don't share the same beliefs that I have. We're all different and I think that we've forgotten that we're all different," the host said.

"For instance, I wish people wouldn't wear fur. I don't like it, but I'm friends with people who wear fur and I'm friends with people who are furry, as a matter of fact."

Gettyimages | James Devaney

Degeneres would continue to share a 'be kind to everyone' message, no matter what other people believed. "But just because I don't agree with someone on everything doesn't mean I'm not gonna be friends with them," DeGeneres continued.

"When I say 'be kind to one another,' I don't mean only the people that think the same way you do. I mean be kind to everyone. It doesn't matter."

Such a message is what everyone needs to embrace to help develop civility and respect towards one another, regardless of background, ethnicity, or creed.