Ellen DeGeneres pokes fun at George W. Bush about his viral Inauguration Day photos

In an interview Thursday on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, host Ellen DeGeneres poked fun at former President George W. Bush about photographs of him wrestling with a rain poncho at President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

As it started to rain during the ceremony, Bush attempted to put on a rain poncho — and it didn’t go well. Images of his struggle with the garment went viral on Twitter.

“Had you put one on?" DeGeneres asked Bush. "Is that the first time?"

"Yeah, it looks like it. That's for sure," Bush replied with a laugh.

Bush quipped that his problem with ponchos may be “genetic” as DeGeneres showed pictures of his mother also struggling to put on a poncho. She then gave Bush his own poncho bearing the presidential seal.

He also discussed his friendship with former first lady Michelle Obama.

A photograph of Obama embracing Bush at the opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture also recently went viral.

"That surprised everybody,” he said. “That's what so weird about society today, that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum could actually like each other."

DeGeneres asked Bush if he’s closer to the former first lady than former President Barack Obama.

“Well, let’s put it this way, he’s never given me a hug that way,” Bush quipped.

During the interview, when asked about Trump’s approach to the media, Bush reiterated comments he made earlier this week about the need for a free press.

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

Bush, who is rarely interviewed since he left office, is currently promoting his new book, “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors,” featuring images of wounded veterans he has painted in his retirement.

Proceeds from Bush's book will go to the Military Service Initiative at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which aids post-9/11 veterans and their families as they transition to civilian life.

“These are painted with a lot of passion,” he said. “I cannot tell you how much I admire these men and women in this book.”

DeGeneres also gave Bush gifts for his new puppy, Freddy.