Trump Inauguration: Why This George W. Bush Moment Is Going Viral

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Inauguration 2025: Ivanka Trump, Barron Trump and More Must-See Attendees

George W. Bush has grabbed the internet’s attention once again.

As the former Commander-in-Chief attended the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, where Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, viewers made note of the 43rd POTUS’ particularly animated expressions during the Jan. 20 ceremony.

At one point during the inauguration, Bush—who served in the Oval Office from 2001 to 2009—darted his eyes from side to side as he tried to contain a playful grin, sparking a wave of memes on social media.

“Idgaf what anyone says,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I love George Bush and his 10-year-old-Christmas-concert-spirit.”

Another user joked, “He's like that kid at the school play that sees his parents and can't stop winking and making faces.”

One person shared a comical theory about the 78-year-old’s expression involving former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was seated directly in front of Bush.

“George W. Bush looks like he put a whoopee cushion on Hilary’s seat,” the user joked, “and he’s anxiously waiting for her to sit on it.”

Bush also had a viral moment earlier in January at the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100. After Bush greeted his successor, Barack Obama, with a friendly tap on the belly, the internet went wild with memes highlighting the heartwarming exchange.

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While it is customary for former presidents and first ladies to attend the swearing in of the incoming leader, there was one notable absence at Trump’s inauguration. Former first lady Michelle Obama opted not to accompany her husband to Washington, D.C., focusing instead on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—which happened to coincide with the presidential proceedings—in a post on social media.

“Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service always inspires me,” the former FLOTUS wrote alongside a post on Instagram Jan. 20. “This #MLKDay, I hope you’ll join me and @WhenWeAllVote in honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy by getting involved in your community.”

The caption was accompanied by a photo of the late civil rights activist as well as one of his most famous quotes, reading, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

Keep reading to see which notable figures were in attendance at the 2025 Presidential Inauguration.

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Barron Trump, Melania Trump & Donald Trump

Take them to church: Barron Trump joined mom Melania Trump (in a coat by American designer Adam Lippes) and his father, president Donald Trump for services at Washington, D.C.'s St. John's Church as part of the 2025 Inauguration Day festivities Jan. 20.

Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Ivanka Trump

Incoming first daughter Ivanka Trump also put on her Monday best for the church services. 

Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

"Welcome home," President Joe Biden said as he and First Lady Jill Biden greeted the Trumps at the White House. 

Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

Usha Vance, Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris & JD Vance

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff were also on hand to welcome VP JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance at the White House.  

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Michael Boulous & Tiffany Trump

Pregnant Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos joined her father at the St. John's Church services. 

Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner

Former advisor Ivanka was joined at the services by husband Jared Kushner and their kids Arabella, Joseph and Theodore

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Elon Musk

Trump pal Elon Musk took in the view as he arrived inside the Capitol Rotunda.

Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar & Donald Trump

Before delivering her speech, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar led Biden and Trump out of the White House. "While we have major differences of opinions on policy and the like," she said of chairing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, "I want to make sure this works,” Klobuchar said of the ceremony."

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush & Laura Bush

Among the former presidents and first ladies on hand: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush and Laura Bush

KENNY HOLSTON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

George W. Bush, Laura Bush & Barack Obama

With wife Michelle Obama not attending, former president Barack Obama hung with the Bushes. 

Saul Loeb/AFP/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Mike Pence

Trump's former vice president Mike Pence turned up solo for the ceremony. 

Photo by Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images

Eric Adams

New York City mayor Eric Adams worked the room at the Capitol. 

Photo by KEVIN LAMARQUE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Janet Jones & Wayne Gretzky

Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet Jones were among those who decided to take a shot at watching the inauguration. 

Photo by CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Rupert Murdoch & Elena Zhukova

Former Fox Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch (joined by wife Elena Zhukova) was among the billionaire businesspeople in attendance. 

SAUL LOEB/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk

Tech talk: Tesla CEO Musk socialized with Google CEO Sundar Pichai.  

KENNY HOLSTON/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Robert F. Kennedy

Trump's pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy came to watch him get sworn in. 

Photo by CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Mitch McConnell & Elaine Chao

Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell held tight to wife Elaine Chao.

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Jake Paul & Logan Paul

Influencer turned boxer Jake Paul was on hand with his brother, wrestler Logan Paul

Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images

Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk 

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined Amazon exec Jeff Bezos, his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, Pichai and Musk on the dias at the Capitol. 

Photo by Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. 

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Barron Trump

Trump's youngest child—New York University student Barron—traveled to Washington, D.C. to watch him take the oath of office for the second time. 

Photo by CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Christopher Macchio

Opera tenor Christopher Macchio was tapped to sing the National Anthem. "I was looking forward to seeing 100,000 people spread across the National Mall," he acknowledged to the Associated Press ahead of the events. "Unfortunately I won’t be getting that visual while I perform, but it’s still going to be such a tremendous honor."

SHAWN THEW/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Shou Zi Chew

Hours after TikTok went dark (and then restored service) in the United States, CEO Shou Zi Chew turned up at the inauguration. 

SAUL LOEB/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Tim Cook, Vivek Ramaswamy & Kristi Noem

Apple CEO Tim Cook posed alongside onetime presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem

Photo by SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump & Donald Trump

Photo by SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

JD Vance, Usha Vance & Donald Trump

Just before noon, Vance took the oath of office to become vice president while wife Usha and daughter Mirabel looked on. 

Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty Images

Rudy Giuliani

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani captured the festivities. 

SAUL LOEB/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Donald Trump

Minutes after Vance was sworn in, Trump took his oath of office for the second time. 

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Bernie Sanders

What, no mittens? Vermont senator Bernie Sanders ditched the outerwear for the festitivites inside the Capitol. 

SAUL LOEB / POOL / AFP via Getty Images

Carrie Underwood

After technical difficulties forced her to perform a capella, American Idol's season four winner Carrie Underwood blew the crowd away with her rendition of "America the Beautiful". 

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