George W. Bush Gives Michelle Obama Altoids at Obama Presidential Center Ceremony

Former President George W. Bush gave former first lady Michelle Obama a tin of Altoids before the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony in Chicago on Thursday. The exchange recalled a 2018 moment at Sen. John McCain's funeral when Bush was seen passing Obama what was later described as a cough drop. Bush later identified the item as an Altoid in an interview with his daughter.

Months after the McCain funeral, Bush appeared to hand Obama another piece of candy during his father's funeral service. Obama has described the two as "forever seatmates" at official events due to seating protocol. "President Bush and I, we are forever seatmates because of protocol, that's how we sit at all the official functions, so he is my partner in crime at every major thing where all the 'formers' gather," Obama said on the "Today" show.

" Obama called Bush "a wonderful man" and "a funny man" and said she loves him. In a photo taken after the gift, Obama smiled while holding up the Altoids tin alongside Bush. Bush attended the ceremony with his wife, former first lady Laura Bush.