Why George W. Bush’s Belly Tap of Barack Obama Is Going Viral

Originally appeared on E! Online

George W. Bush is giving a new meaning to the presidential hello.

The former president was one of several U.S. leaders who attended the funeral of Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9, and folks could not get enough of the moment he shared with Barack Obama.

As he entered the cathedral for the services, Bush—who was joined by wife Laura Bush—went to take his seat next to Obama, who was already seated beside President-Elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump.

As the Bushes walked by, Obama stood to let them pass, leading to the moment where President Bush gave Obama a friendly tap on the belly with his hand before sitting down.

The interaction quickly went viral, with many delighted by the relationship between the Bushes and the Obamas.

“The belly tap is remarkable,” one user posted to X, formerly Twitter. Another joked, “I have just watched this 100 times without blinking.”

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Another person imagined his own version of the greeting, writing, “Definitely called him ‘Slim’ or ‘Big Dog’ at the same time.”

And one user quipped, “The unofficial dude greeting progression: Handshake > High Five > Fist Pound > High Five Hug > Shadow Sparring > Belly Tap (eg. Bush and Obama).”

The moment also called to mind a similar viral interaction that Bush previously shared with Michelle Obama—who unfortunately had to miss the Carter funeral due to a scheduling conflict.

In 2018, Bush and the former First Lady had the internet laughing when he slipped her a piece of candy at the funeral of former senator John McCain. The duo recreated the moment a few months later when he offered her another piece of candy at the funeral of his father, former president George H. W. Bush.

Aside from the viral moment between the former presidents, Carter’s funeral—which was also attended by President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff—featured several tear-jerking points, including a eulogy written for Carter by Gerald Ford, which was read by the late president’s son Steven Ford.

“By fate of a brief season, Jimmy Carter and I were rivals,” he read. “But for many of the wonderful years that followed, friendship bonded us as no two presidents since John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.”

Ford’s eulogy praised the now deceased politician, saying in conclusion, “As for myself, Jimmy, I’m looking forward to our reunion. We have much to catch up on. Thank you, Mr. President. Welcome home old friend.”

For a look at more moments from President Carter’s funeral, keep reading.

Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

Barack Obama & Donald Trump

JD Vance

Justin Trudeau & Prince Edward

Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Barack Obama, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris & Doug Emhoff

Kamala Harris, George W. Bush & Laura Bush

Al Gore

Bill Clinton & Hillary Clinton

Kamala Harris & Doug Emhoff

Donald Trump & Melania Trump

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