Why George W Bush handed Altoids to Michelle Obama at her husband’s presidential center opening

Published June 18, 2026 4:57pm ET | Updated June 18, 2026 4:57pm ET



Former President George W. Bush went viral on Thursday at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, when he rekindled his friendship with former first lady Michelle Obama by offering her some Altoids.

The gift was a playful callback to a moment that first captured public attention nearly a decade ago, during the funeral of Sen. John McCain, when cameras caught Bush discreetly passing Michelle Obama a mint as they sat next to each other.

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