Erin Jensen

USA TODAY

Former president George W. Bush appeared on Thursday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. And though he seemed reluctant to bust a move as DeGeneres' guests traditionally do when making their way to their seat, he was open to discussing his meme-inspiring struggle to put on a poncho at President Trump's inauguration.

"The poncho was a problem. Had you put one on?" DeGeneres asked while photos of Bush attempting to put on the rain protector were displayed in the background. "Is that the first time?"

"Yeah, it looks like it. That's for sure," Bush said chuckling.

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"It really must run in the family," DeGeneres said, "because your mom had an issue with the poncho also."

"It's genetics," Bush claimed. Perhaps next time, he can stand under his "good friend" Michelle Obama's umbrella.

"You know, I'm kind of a needler, and she handles it pretty well," Bush said of his relationship with the former first lady.

Addressing a photograph taken of the two embracing at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Bush said, "That surprised everybody. That's what so weird about society today, that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum could actually like each other."

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In addition to covering lighthearted topics, DeGeneres and her guest discussed serious issues as well, like freedom of the press. "Trump is raging an outright – just a war – against all press and not allowing press to do their job, which I think is a very dangerous thing," the talk show host shared.

"Here is what I believed when I was president, post-president: The nation needs a free and independent press," Bush responded. "And the reason why is, is that power can be very corrupting and we need a press corp to hold politicians to account, including me. And ya, I didn’t like it sometimes when people said things about me, but that’s the job."

Bush said when he visited with tyrants he would suggest they have a free press, which DeGeneres used as a segue to Vladimir Putin. Bush explained the Russian president was not impressed after meeting Bush's dog Barney, a Scottish Terrier.

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"(Putin) kind of dissed him," Bush explained. "He looked at him like, 'You think that’s a dog?' A year later Putin said, 'Would you like to meet my dog?' Laura (Bush's wife) and I were with Putin in this dacha outside of Moscow and she said, 'Ya I'd like to meet him,' and out comes a giant hound kind of loping across the yard, and Putin looks at me and says, 'Bigger, stronger, and faster than Barney.'"

Moral of the story, the 43rd president explained: "He’s got a chip on his shoulder," adding, "I had a contentious relationship with him and I think whoever the president is, is going to find out that Putin will push and push and push until somebody stands up to him."

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