Bush opens up on his affection for Michelle Obama

Former President George W. Bush opened up about his “genuine” affection for former first lady Michelle Obama in a new interview.

“She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like,” Bush told People Magazine.

The pair sat next to one another during numerous events in the past, including the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Photos of the pair laughing and at one point sharing a hug at that event went viral on social media last year.

“When I saw her, it was a genuine expression of affection,” said Bush.

{mosads}“I can’t remember where else I’ve sat next to her, but I probably have a few wise cracks and she seemed to like it okay,” he added. “I needle her a little bit and around her, I’m fairly lighthearted. [The Obamas] are around serious people all the time, and we just took to each other.”

Bush also said he and former first lady Laura Bush would be open to working with the Obamas on future projects.

“It’s going to take them a while to find their footing and figure out how they’re going to do what they want to do,” he said about the Obamas life outside of the White House. “But if there’s a way to be symbiotic, we’ll do so.”

“I think they’re interested in, also, doing things with our troops of course now in their afterlife, as I call it,” Laura Bush said.