A Daughter’s Empathy: Jenna Bush Hager’s Heartfelt Tribute to the Cheney Family
The passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney at age 84 was met with an outpouring of formal condolences, yet it was the raw, personal reflection offered by Jenna Bush Hager on TODAY that truly struck an emotional chord with viewers. As the daughter of former President George W. Bush, Jenna had a unique vantage point on the decades-long partnership that defined an administration, and she offered a deeply empathetic message to Cheney’s daughters, Liz and Mary.1
Visibly moved by the news, Jenna began her tribute by sending a heartfelt message to Cheney’s family: “I’m thinking of his family, particularly his daughters, Liz and Mary, because public grieving can be very difficult.” This simple acknowledgment of the pain of losing a parent under the bright glare of the public eye underscored the shared experience that connects the children of prominent political figures.2 For Jenna, the grief was compounded by a wealth of private memories that illuminated the true nature of the bond between her father and his Vice President.
The Never-Before-Told Detail
While the relationship between President Bush and Vice President Cheney was widely documented through policy and public appearances, Jenna revealed a private detail that highlighted the quiet affection and respect shared between the two men away from the political fray.
Recalling her time growing up around Cheney, Jenna spoke of a man who was always present, yet unobtrusive—a steady force whose presence she took for granted. But the truly touching revelation came when she described the dynamic between her father, George W. Bush, and his second-in-command.
Jenna disclosed that her father, known for his decisive nature and unwavering loyalty, relied on Cheney not just for counsel, but for a deep and genuine companionship.
“There are few people that my dad fully trusts and, throughout the eight years in the White House, he knew Dick Cheney was someone who would give him the unvarnished, honest truth—no matter what the consequences were,” Jenna shared, her voice catching. “But what people don’t know is how much laughter was shared between them. My dad would often refer to him, behind closed doors, not just as ‘Dick,’ but as a ‘second big brother’—someone who brought a serious gravitas to the job, yet whose loyalty and presence felt like family.”
This description of Cheney as a “second big brother”—a private term of endearment never before revealed publicly—left the studio silent. It transformed the familiar image of the powerful political duo into one of two men bound by mutual admiration and a familial-level of trust that went beyond their roles.
A Legacy of Service and Strength
The former Vice President, whose career spanned decades in public service under five presidents, was a towering figure in American politics.3 As Jenna noted, her parents, George and Laura Bush, issued a statement remembering Cheney as a “decent, honorable man” and a “patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held.”4
Jenna’s personal message to Liz and Mary Cheney was rooted in the knowledge that while their father’s legacy will be debated by history, their immediate pain is entirely personal. Her words resonated powerfully because they spoke to the universal challenge of grieving a loved one whose life belonged, in many ways, to the nation.
The moment served as a poignant tribute to the deep ties that can be forged through shared national service, reminding the public that behind the headlines and policy decisions, there are simply people—and families—who share loss, respect, and enduring connection.
