EXCLUSIVE: Jenna Bush Hager reveals how her grandfather George H.W. became like a 'surrogate father' to rival Bill Clinton - after the pair put aside their 'crushing' election battle to form a decades-long friendship

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Jenna Bush Hager has called for political leaders to follow the example of her grandfather, late former President George H. W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton after they managed to develop a close friendship despite being members of opposing parties.

The Today host, 40, reflected on the way her grandfather set aside any hard feelings after Clinton beat him out for the presidency in 1992 - even though the loss 'crushed' him.

Speaking to DailyMail.com after filming Today with Hoda and Jenna on Monday, Bush Hager commented on the need for less 'divisive' interactions between opposing parties as she reflected on the vitriolic midterm election campaigns.

Jenna Bush Hager believes political leaders should follow the example of her grandfather, late former President George H. W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton

Clinton (L) and H.W. Bush (R) managed to develop a close friendship despite being members of opposing parties

The former First Daughter stated: 'Just look at my grandfather and President Clinton. President Clinton beat my grandfather and my grandfather was crushed. He ran a hard campaign, and he was crushed about it. 

'Then after a few years, they were put together by my dad to raise funds for a bunch of different things and he became a bit of a surrogate father for him.'

After Clinton beat H. W. Bush to win the presidency in November 1992, Bush famously wrote, 'Your success now is our country's success. I am rooting hard for you,' in the customary letter given to Clinton on his 1993 inauguration day.

The kind words gave rise to a friendship that ran for decades, and the exchange between the political rivals started the tradition that the outgoing President would write a supportive letter to the incoming leader.

When George W. Bush later asked his father and Clinton to be involved in US relief efforts for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster and Hurricane Karina in 2005, the pair traveled together far and wide in their efforts. 

Bush Hager previously opened up about watching her grandfather deal with his 1992 loss as she told The Sunday Paper: 'We also knew how sad he was that he’d lost. We were sitting there with him on election night and there was a point when all the adults became quieter and there was a shift that even children (we were 11, maybe) could feel.

Bush Hager pictured with her late grandfather in an image shared on her Instagram page

Bush applauded Clinton on his Inauguration day in 1993 (pictured)

Bush famously wrote a short yet intimate note which started a tradition for modern presidents on Inauguration day

'We knew how disappointed he was because he wanted to finish the job that he had started, and he felt crushed.' 

The Today host also shared her pride about the fact her grandfather began the tradition of a 'peaceful transition of power' between parties.

Speaking in 2021, Bush Hager said that despite his heartbreak, her grandfather also 'felt a huge responsibility to help Bill Clinton and his staff transition' that inspired the letter-writing tradition.   

'He was such a gracious man that he created this tradition that continued up until point where the outgoing president leaves a note for the incoming president,' she explained. 

She recalled how Clinton would call himself 'the fifth son and the black sheep of the family.' 

Bush Hager praised the way her grandfather set aside any hard feelings after Clinton beat him in 1992 (pictured together in January 2005)

Bush Hager claimed that her grandfather was like a 'surrogate father' to Clinton in many ways (pictured in September 2005)

Bush Hager previously revealed how Clinton would call himself 'the fifth son and the black sheep of the family' (Clinton pictured with Bush in February 2005)

'I think it spoke a lot about the humility of my grandpa that this person who had crushed his political dreams, ended his presidency after only four years, would become somebody who was a close confidant and friend,' she said.  

Affection between presidents across today's toxic political divide has managed still to extend beyond Clinton and the elder Bush. Indeed, the Obamas have also become friendly with the Bush family over the years. 

Bush Hager touched on her father's friendship with Mrs. Obama, after interviewing former First Lady about her new book, The Light We Carry, in front of a live studio audience. 

'We didn’t get to talk about it on-air but I think my dad and Mrs. Obama’s relationship is the perfect example,' she told DailyMail.com. 'We all know about that picture of Mrs. Obama and my father, and it shouldn’t shock people.'

Bush and Mrs. Obama are usually seated next to each other at major events that former presidents and first ladies attend. 

Bush Hager also touched on her father's friendship with Mrs. Obama after interviewing former First Lady about her new book on Monday

Bush and Mrs. Obama are usually seated next to each other at major events that former presidents and first ladies attend, leading to many viral moments (seen together in 2016)

This has led to many viral moments including when the pair were pictured embracing during the inauguration of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016. 

Bush also famously passed Obama mints at the funerals for Senator John McCain and his own father, H.W. Bush.

'Bush Hager continued: 'Just because you have different political thoughts doesn’t mean that we’re not all human, with beating hearts and dreams for our kids.'

'I actually do think that while we talk a lot about the division, there is a lot of love too. That’s what we try and focus on. After a global pandemic, let’s focus on the good.'

'I think there is so much of that in this country everywhere you look, but it gets lost. You’ve just gotta look for it,' the TV host stated.