text: Former President George W. Bush had a big problem at Donald Trump’s inauguration. It had nothing to do with politics, but rather with how to put on a poncho. 
   
   The 43rd President of the United States recently stopped by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he discussed many things, including his strong bond with Michelle Obama. But, the host made sure to ask him the ultimate burning question. 
   
   “The poncho was a problem,” joked DeGeneres. “Had you put one on? Is that the first time?” 
   
   Laughing, Bush responded, “Yeah, it looks like it.” 
   
   DeGeneres then wondered if the issue might run in the family, showing images of his mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, also dealing with the poncho conundrum at the inauguration. 
   
   “It’s genetics,” quipped Bush, who was then presented with an official presidential poncho, complete with easy instructions. 
   
   Watch the video above. ||||| George W. Bush has been making the news rounds this week to promote his new art book, “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors,” a collection of the former president’s paintings of veterans. On March 1, Bush opened up to PEOPLE about his affection for a close friend — former First Lady Michelle Obama. 
   
   Though Bush and Obama may seem like unlikely friends, Bush expressed nothing but admiration for the former first lady. “She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like,” Bush said. 
   
   
   
   
   
   Bush, 70 and Obama, 53 were frequently seated next to each other at official events such as Nancy Reagan’s memorial service, an interfaith memorial service for Texas police officers last year, and the dedication ceremony to mark the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. 
   
   RELATED: People can’t get over George Bush using a poncho during Trump’s inauguration 
   
   The two quickly went viral online after photos of them smiling and hugging at various events made the rounds on social media. 
   
   Here they are sharing a moment at the memorial service to honor the five police officers who were killed and the many who were injured during a shooting in downtown Dallas on July 12, 2016. 
   
   And here they are hugging in a moment of genuine friendship during the dedication ceremony for the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington DC on September 24, 2016. 
   
   “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,” Bush 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 added that he would be open to working with Barack and Michelle Obama to help military personnel, military families, and veterans through various organizations and causes. Bush has dedicated much of his time and effort post-presidency to helping wounded warriors, and though only time will tell if Barack Obama chooses to also get involved in that important cause, the two former presidents could end up working together toward a common goal. 
   
   “I think they’re interested in, also, doing things with our troops of course now in their after-life, as I call it,” Laura Bush said about the Obamas. 
   
   Bush added, “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. But if there’s a way to be symbiotic, we’ll do so.” ||||| That was some weird shit. 
   
   The inauguration of Donald Trump was a surreal experience for pretty much everyone who witnessed it, whether or not they were at the event and regardless of who they supported in the election. On the dais, the stoic presence of Hillary Clinton — whom candidate Trump had said he would send to prison if he took office — underlined the strangeness of the moment. George W. Bush, also savaged by Trump during the campaign, was there too. He gave the same reason for attending that Bill and Hillary Clinton did: to honor the peaceful transfer of power. 
   
   Bush’s endearing struggle with his poncho at the event quickly became a meme, prompting many Democrats on social media to admit that they already pined for the relative normalcy of his administration. Following Trump’s short and dire speech, Bush departed the scene and never offered public comment on the ceremony. 
   
   But, according to three people who were present, Bush gave a brief assessment of Trump’s inaugural after leaving the dais: “That was some weird shit.” All three heard him say it. 
   
   A spokesman for Bush declined to comment. 
   
   Before the inauguration, Trump fired the 89-year-old man who had announced every inaugural parade since Eisenhower. Charles Brotman talks about the experience in this video. 
   
   Follow Yashar Ali on Twitter: @Yashar
target: – George W. Bush dutifully attended the Trump inauguration in his role as ex-president, and his struggles with a rain poncho became an internet sensation. Now there's a new Bush-inauguration story creating a buzz: New York quotes three anonymous people present who said Bush summed up the ceremony, including the new president's short speech about America's dire straits, thusly: "That was some weird s---." A spokesperson declined to comment. Bush hasn't offered a public comment about the proceedings. As for that poncho, the former president earlier this month joked about it with Ellen DeGeneres. "Is that the first time?" she asked of his poncho wearing, per Entertainment Weekly. "It looks like it," he conceded. (Here's why Bush likes Michelle Obama so much.)