George Bush was reportedly "shocked" by the public reaction to his friendship with Michelle Obama.

According to People magazine, the former President of the United States spoke about his friendship with the ex-First Lady in a new interview with CBS News' Norah O'Donnell.

Take a look at the interview in question in the video below:

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The general public first became aware of the close relationship between Bush and Obama back in 2016, when they were pictured hugging one another outside the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. back in 2016.

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The 43rd POTUS stated:

"The big hug [...] It shocked me. We got in the car and I think Barbara or Jenna said: 'Hey, you're trending!' The American people were so surprised that Michelle Obama and I could be friends.

"I think it's a problem that Americans are so polarized in their thinking that they can't imagine a George W. Bush and a Michelle Obama being friends."

Bush also spoke about his reasons why he never voiced public support for fellow Republican Donald Trump.

George Bush, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Laura Bush. [[imagecaption|| Credit: Alamy]]

Bush stated: "I feel a responsibility to uphold the dignity of the office. I did then, and I do now.

"And I think it's undignified to wanna see my name in print all the time. I think it basically sends a signal that I miss being famous and, you know, I want people to see me. Listen to me And, you know, I don't. I really don't."

He added: "To me, humility shows an understanding of self. It shows a belief in a higher power that is necessary to be an effective leader. And we were short of humility."

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Indeed, per People, Bush's comments seem to prior echo sentiments expressed by Obama herself in a 2019 interview with Jenna Bush Hager on Today.

Back then, the former FLOTUS stated: "I had an opportunity to sit by your father at funerals, the highs, and the lows, and we shared stories about our kids and about our parents.

"Our values are the same. We disagree on policy, but we don't disagree on humanity, we don't disagree about love and compassion. I think that's true for all of us — it's just that we get lost in our fear of what's different."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy Stock Images

George Bush says he was 'shocked' by public's reaction to his friendship with Michelle Obama