Ellen DeGeneres defends her friendship with George W. Bush
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That Ellen DeGeneres. She just wants everyone to get along.
And that includes even those who don’t agree with her.
On Sunday, the feel-good talk-show host was spotted at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, watching the Dallas Cowboys play the Green Bay Packers. And sitting next to her, sharing a laugh was former President George W. Bush.
Well, that was enough to set folks on fire (on social media).
This is Ellen
Ellen donates to Pete Buttigieg and goes to ball games with George W Bush
Don't be like Ellen pic.twitter.com/6ODS0wUXVq
— Aisha Ahmad ☭ (@aishaismad) October 7, 2019
Why are Ellen Degeneres and George W. Bush watching the Cowboys-packers game together? Has she forgotten about that whole anti-gay marriage, war in Iraq, general incompetence thing?
— Adam B. Lerner (@AdamBLerner) October 6, 2019
I don’t care how nice of a guy George W Bush is. He was one of our worst presidents and left our country and world in bad shape. The mess he helped create we’re still trying to dig out of. This is a bad look for @TheEllenShow. https://t.co/FMYgpbrq6A
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 7, 2019
But DeGeneres defended the idea that two people with different points of view can actually be friends. On Monday night, she tweeted out a preview of Tuesday’s episode.
Yes, that was me at the Cowboys game with George W. Bush over the weekend. Here’s the whole story. pic.twitter.com/AYiwY5gTIS
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 8, 2019
“Here’s the thing,” the comedian said. “I’m friends with George Bush. In fact, I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have. We’re all different, and I think we’ve forgotten that that’s OK that we’re all different.
“For instance, I wish people wouldn’t wear fur. I don’t like it, but I’m friends with people who wear fur,” she said. “And just because I don’t agree with someone on everything doesn’t mean I’m not going to be friends with them. When I say ‘Be kind to one another,’ I don’t mean only the people who think the same way you do. I mean be kind to everyone. Doesn’t matter.”
Obviously, the negative voices continued on Twitter, but some folks were applauding her friendly stance.
Ellen DeGeneres is sitting next to George Dubya at a football game and that’s the America I want to live in. pic.twitter.com/4t213lk3im
— Brent Wainscott (@BrentWainscott_) October 6, 2019
THANK YOU ELLEN – peace is not getting two sides to agree. It’s finding a way to co-exist & thrive.
“When I say, ‘be kind to one another,’ I don’t mean ‘only the people who think the same way you do.’ I mean, ‘be kind to everyone.’” @TheEllenShow
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) October 8, 2019
I love this. @TheEllenShow is being kind, practicing what she preaches, and most importantly, she’s being the change most of us want to see in the world. Besides, IMO, GWB seems so likable. I’ve always had a soft spot for him. If @MichelleObama can laugh w/ him, why can’t Ellen? https://t.co/XNJ3MRcvVd
— Kimsterical (@kimster_giggles) October 8, 2019
Thank you @TheEllenShow , (Ellen) for pushing back to criticism for socializing with former #PresidentBush . We need more civility in #America .
— George Wright (@CPOLeadership) October 8, 2019
Of course, the 61-year-old comedian couldn’t help tossing in a few jokes as well.
“Even people who are already playing Christmas music,” she joked. “I mean, seriously, there’s no excuse for that. But I’m kind to them.”
She thanked Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his daughter Charlotte for being good hosts at the game. She also sent a shout out to the Bushes.
“And thanks, President Bush and Laura, for a Sunday afternoon that was so fun. By the way, you owe me $6 for the nachos.”