Jenna Bush Hager Says Her Husband Used to Love Ghost-Hunting at the White House 'After a Couple of Cocktails'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Even the White House can get a little spooky, according toJenna Bush Hager.The daughter of former PresidentGeorge W. Bushsays her husband,Henry Hager, used to go “ghost-hunting” when they would spend time at the historic home.“You know what one of Henry Hager’s favorite things to do in the White House was? He would go ‘call ghost,’ “ Bush Hager, 42, said onToday with Hoda & Jennaon Wednesday, Oct. 9.She continued, “He would go up to this room where my mom’s best friend had this experience, and he would take friends after a couple of cocktails and they would call ghosts to come in and join them.”While the mother of three told co-hostHoda Kotbthat she didn’t recall ever joining in on the fun, she has a theory about the ghosts’ preferences.“They didn’t like what we were serving,” she joked.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The origin of Bush Hager’s ghost story came about after the hosts heard a noise in the background while they were on air.After the Read with Jenna book club founder wondered what the sound was, she shared that she thought Studio 1A might be compromised.“It feels like this place is haunted and I just need to speak up because I’ve had some encounters with ghosts and I’m a little scared,” she said.The longtime friends’ exchange ended with Kotb, 60, calling Bush Hager “kooky.”“I’m sorry that I can’t help it but when I feel a little frightened, I have to tell you.” Bush Hager said.

Even the White House can get a little spooky, according toJenna Bush Hager.

The daughter of former PresidentGeorge W. Bushsays her husband,Henry Hager, used to go “ghost-hunting” when they would spend time at the historic home.

“You know what one of Henry Hager’s favorite things to do in the White House was? He would go ‘call ghost,’ “ Bush Hager, 42, said onToday with Hoda & Jennaon Wednesday, Oct. 9.

She continued, “He would go up to this room where my mom’s best friend had this experience, and he would take friends after a couple of cocktails and they would call ghosts to come in and join them.”

While the mother of three told co-hostHoda Kotbthat she didn’t recall ever joining in on the fun, she has a theory about the ghosts’ preferences.

“They didn’t like what we were serving,” she joked.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The origin of Bush Hager’s ghost story came about after the hosts heard a noise in the background while they were on air.

After the Read with Jenna book club founder wondered what the sound was, she shared that she thought Studio 1A might be compromised.

“It feels like this place is haunted and I just need to speak up because I’ve had some encounters with ghosts and I’m a little scared,” she said.

The longtime friends’ exchange ended with Kotb, 60, calling Bush Hager “kooky.”

“I’m sorry that I can’t help it but when I feel a little frightened, I have to tell you.” Bush Hager said.

source: people.com