George W. Bush hails the First Amendment and Obama says America doesn't have 'kings'
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
April 21, 2026, 9:10 AM EDT / Updated April 21, 2026, 9:35 PM EDTBy Sahil Kapur
Ahead of America's 250th anniversary this summer, former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton each shared a message about what they value about the country and how it can emerge from a difficult era.
"The fact that you can speak in the public square without being jailed. The fact that we have a press that's willing to hold the powerful to account," Bush said in an interview with NBC News, referring to the First Amendment. "I mean, these are all things that should and generally do unite us."
He voiced optimism about the future of the country, citing historical "periods of intense anger and intense rivalry of ideas."
Asked what message he has for Americans, Obama pointedly noted that "we don't have rulers, we don't have kings, or monarchs, or aristocracies; we have citizens."
He called it "the basic principle upon which this country was founded," while calling on Americans to "extend respect and thoughtfulness to our fellow citizens, even if we disagree with 'em" and "sort through our differences in peaceful, legal ways."
"If we understand that part of this democratic project is to — then I'm confident that we're gonna have another 250-year run that's gonna be just as good," Obama said.
Former President Barack Obama sits down with NBC's Jenna Bush Hager.Tyler Essary / NBC News
The former presidents spoke in Philadelphia with Jenna Bush Hager of "TODAY" at a private event over the weekend called "History Talks," hosted by the History Channel. Bush Hager's father is former President George W. Bush.
The event, which traditionally features former presidents, was held in partnership with Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal.
The comments from the former presidents come at a time when polls show deep divisions along political lines and widespread fears among Americans about threats to democracy during President Donald Trump's second term.
"America is bigger than anybody's personal hopes and dreams," Clinton said while discussing a supportive letter from George H.W. Bush to the 42nd president after Clinton defeated him in 1992.
Biden said national divisions are not as bad as perceived.
"I'm not sure we're as divided as we portray," Biden said. "I'm sure there's anywhere from 15 to 30% of the people who are on the one end here."
Clockwise from top left: Former Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton speak to Jenna Bush Hager.Tyler Essary / TODAY
"The idea that a kid from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who's — we weren't poor, but where a middle class guy could, you know, who used to have a stutter, could end up being president of the United States is just kind of a story of what America's all about," Biden said.
Obama, who broke barriers as the country's first Black president, said "the country's polarized, and there's been a decline in trust."
But he still feels hope for the future.
"The first time I was on the national stage and I talked about hope, I reminded people hope is not blind optimism; hope arises in the face of difficulty, in the face of uncertainty," Obama said. "When you look at the sweep of American history, we've gone through rough patches. And we tend to come out on the other side of them stronger."
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Regardless of your politics. each one of these Presidents treated the office of the President with dignity and respect. It's a standard that clearly is no longer being met by the current occupant.
Yes, they did. I even miss George Bush. He was a way better prez than the joker in the WH now
without a doubt
These four ex presidents are trying to salvage some sort of hope and dignity on the doorstep of the nations 250th birthday.
I believe these four could resolve the war with Iran. If only Iran would call for them to come to negotiate peace instead of the 3 Stooges
Any one of the last 20 Presidents except one could handle that, in order to get the job done.
Unfortunately, that one is the man child known as Donald J Trump, Doctor Jesus. /s