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---
title: George W. Bush Clarifies Inauguration Poncho Situation
description: Former President George W. Bush spoke with Ellen DeGeneres about his poncho situation at President Trump&#x27;s inauguration ceremony.
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og:title: Watch George W. Bush Clear the Air About His Poncho Struggle
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# Watch George W. Bush Clear the Air About His Infamous Inauguration Day Poncho Struggle

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by 

[TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/)


## TIME Staff


Mar 2, 2017 9:23 PM UTC

by 

[TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/)


## TIME Staff


Mar 2, 2017 9:23 PM UTC

Former President [George W. Bush](http://time.com/4688206/george-w-bush-painting-book/) is fully aware that he doesn’t know how to adorn a poncho. [Ellen DeGeneres](http://time.com/4654985/ellen-degeneres-immigration-ban/) isn’t letting him forget it, either.

[Bush’s](http://time.com/4683734/george-w-bush-donald-trump-russia-today/) struggle with the plastic rain gear at [President Trump’s inauguration](http://time.com/4640707/donald-trump-inauguration-speech-transcript/) quickly became an internet sensation, causing a [rush of memes](http://time.com/4641223/trump-inauguration-george-bush-reactions/) to flood the Internet. Even though Bush appeared to laugh and smile about his sartorial battle, the photos of him became one of the trademarks of Trump’s swearing-in.

The [former president](http://time.com/4640219/letters-george-bush-bill-clinton-inauguration/) sat down with DeGeneres on her show to promote his [new book](http://www.bushcenter.org/exhibits-and-events/exhibits/2017/portraits-of-courage-exhibit.html#buy) _Portraits of Courage._ While the two discussed his art, the current presidency and his friendship with Michelle Obama, DeGeneres ultimately brought up the pressing issue at hand: whether or not he had ever worn a poncho. “The poncho was a problem. Have you put one on? Is that the first time?” she asked. Bush replied, “Yeah, it looks like it! That’s for sure.”

> [](https://twitter.com/EllieInTheStars/status/822505817110941699)

> [](https://twitter.com/CountOnVic/status/822529033661546497)

> [](https://twitter.com/maxwelltani/status/822501259164995584)


DeGeneres later gifted Bush with his own presidential poncho — directions included.

Watch the full video below.

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