The Bush Sisters On What Is Enhancing Divisiveness In America

Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush know exactly what it feels like to be hounded by the press. (The former first daughters made headlines for their teenage behavior back when their father, George W. Bush, was president in the 2000s.) But let’s face it, things have gotten way worse for first families over the years, and the Bush sisters blame the way the world consumes and spreads news for the shift.

During a conversation with HuffPost on Build Series Tuesday, Jenna and Barbara, who just released their book Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life, spoke about social media and how it impacted not only the election but the national discourse since.

″[It’s changed] the way we talk to each other,” Jenna said. “The discourse can be so ugly because there’s nobody ― it’s not like face-to-face. People who don’t have the guts to say something cruel to your face can sit somewhere and write it and that’s too bad, you know? As a mom, I think, it enables people to talk in a way that I wouldn’t want my girls to listen to.”

What frightens them the most about social media is the fact that future first children will have a higher level of scrutiny than they ever did. Jenna and Barbara are specifically concerned for Sasha and Malia Obama, who are currently experiencing their first few months outside of the White House after their father’s time as president.

Ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, Jenna ― who has two young daughters, Mila and Poppy, with her husband Henry Hager ― sat down with Barbara to write a letter to the Obama girls, urging them to stay true to who they are and lead inspired, fulfilling lives.

“Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Make mistakes — you are allowed to,” they wrote, in part. “Continue to surround yourself with loyal friends who know you, adore you and will fiercely protect you. Those who judge you don’t love you, and their voices shouldn’t hold weight. Rather, it’s your own hearts that matter.”

That point relates directly back to their thoughts on social media and how they’re not sure what kind of experience Sasha and Malia will have amid the growth of technology and communication.

“The letter was definitely a battle cry to make sure we give them the privacy we think they deserve,” Jenna said, adding, “The reason we connected with Sasha and Malia so much is that we saw ourselves in them. Things have changed so much now that it’s harder to see that, I think.”

United States President George W. Bush (C), his wife Laura, and daughters Jenna and Barbara, attend the first inaugural ball in Washington, DC.  (Photo: Brooks Kraft via Getty Images)
United States President George W. Bush (C), his wife Laura, and daughters Jenna and Barbara, attend the first inaugural ball in Washington, DC.  (Photo: Brooks Kraft via Getty Images)

Speaking of things changing, Jenna and Barbara are very aware that the current climate we’re living in is a tough one. That’s one of the reasons why they decided to write Sisters First, in an effort to prop women up and rally around them. Following the election last year, the Bush twins thought that telling their story could help others support one another in trying times.

“No matter what political party you’re in, the year for women has been a difficult one. And we thought, ’You know what? If every woman had a sister, whether that means a colleague or a friend ― it could be a man ― just somebody that empowers them, then maybe we would be in a little bit of a better place,’” Jenna told HuffPost. “There’s so much divisiveness and negative energy so we wanted to add a little bit of our positive, which is that women can really be incredible if we’re doing our job right.”

Barbara related it all back to prematurely judging people, saying they relished in the opportunity to share special tidbits about their famous family.

“You create a caricature of the people that you see but don’t get to know,” Barbara explained. “And so it was fun for us to share our stories because it did build out other sides of ourselves and people we love, and people that many people know but don’t necessarily know personally.”

Sisters First is out now. Watch the full Build Series interview with Jenna and Barbara below.

Also on HuffPost

Prescott Bush (Center)

This undated and unlocated picture shows Senator Prescott Bush (C) posing with son George Herbert Walker Bush on the left. (AFP/Getty Images)  -- Father of George H.W. Bush, Prescott Bush Jr., Nancy Walker Bush Ellis, Jonathan Bush, William H.T. Bush
This undated and unlocated picture shows Senator Prescott Bush (C) posing with son George Herbert Walker Bush on the left. (AFP/Getty Images) -- Father of George H.W. Bush, Prescott Bush Jr., Nancy Walker Bush Ellis, Jonathan Bush, William H.T. Bush

George H.W. Bush

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at Reliant Stadium on December 1, 2013 in Houston.  (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)  -- Son of Prescott Bush -- Husband of Barbara Bush -- Father of George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch
Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at Reliant Stadium on December 1, 2013 in Houston. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) -- Son of Prescott Bush -- Husband of Barbara Bush -- Father of George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch

Barbara Bush

On Aug. 22, 2013, former first lady Barbara Bush listens to a patient's question during a visit to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)  -- Wife of George H.W. Bush -- Mother of George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch
On Aug. 22, 2013, former first lady Barbara Bush listens to a patient's question during a visit to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) -- Wife of George H.W. Bush -- Mother of George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch

George W. Bush

Former President George W. Bush speaks during a conference at the Bush Institute Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) -- Husband of Laura Bush -- Father of Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush -- Brother of Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch
Former President George W. Bush speaks during a conference at the Bush Institute Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) -- Husband of Laura Bush -- Father of Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush -- Brother of Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch

Laura Bush

Former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush speaks during the Georgetown University Symposium Advancing Afghan Women on November 15, 2013 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) -- Wife of George W. Bush -- Mother of Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush
Former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush speaks during the Georgetown University Symposium Advancing Afghan Women on November 15, 2013 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) -- Wife of George W. Bush -- Mother of Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush

Barbara Pierce Bush

Barbara Bush attends the 5th Annual Women In The World Summit at the David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center on April 3, 2014 in New York City.  (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)  -- Daughter of Laura Bush & George W. Bush
Barbara Bush attends the 5th Annual Women In The World Summit at the David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center on April 3, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) -- Daughter of Laura Bush & George W. Bush

Jenna Bush Hager

Bing and Jenna Bush Hager host the Bing in the Classroom Launch Event on April 23, 2014 at Clarion School in Brooklyn, New York.  (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Bing)  -- Daughter of George W. Bush & Laura Bush -- Wife of Henry Chase Hager
Bing and Jenna Bush Hager host the Bing in the Classroom Launch Event on April 23, 2014 at Clarion School in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Bing) -- Daughter of George W. Bush & Laura Bush -- Wife of Henry Chase Hager

Henry Chase Hager

Henry Hager and UNICEF Next Generation Chair, Jenna Bush Hager attend The Ninth Annual UNICEF Snowflake Ball at Cipriani, Wall Street on December 3, 2013 in New York City.  (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for UNICEF)  -- Husband of Jenna Hager Bush
Henry Hager and UNICEF Next Generation Chair, Jenna Bush Hager attend The Ninth Annual UNICEF Snowflake Ball at Cipriani, Wall Street on December 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for UNICEF) -- Husband of Jenna Hager Bush

Jeb Bush

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks during a Long Island Association luncheon on February 24, 2014 in Woodbury, New York. (Photo by Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)  -- Son of George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush -- Husband of Columba Bush -- Father of George P. Bush, Noelle Bush, Jeb Bush Jr.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks during a Long Island Association luncheon on February 24, 2014 in Woodbury, New York. (Photo by Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images) -- Son of George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush -- Husband of Columba Bush -- Father of George P. Bush, Noelle Bush, Jeb Bush Jr.

Columba Bush

Columba Bush attends the 2012 Lincoln Center Institute Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on March 7, 2012 in New York City.  (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)  -- Wife of Jeb Bush -- Mother of George P. Bush, Noelle Bush, Jeb Bush Jr.
Columba Bush attends the 2012 Lincoln Center Institute Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on March 7, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) -- Wife of Jeb Bush -- Mother of George P. Bush, Noelle Bush, Jeb Bush Jr.

George P. Bush

In this photo taken June 25, 2013, George P. Bush, 37, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)  -- Son of Jeb Bush & Columba Bush -- Brother of Noelle Bush, Jeb Bush Jr.
In this photo taken June 25, 2013, George P. Bush, 37, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder) -- Son of Jeb Bush & Columba Bush -- Brother of Noelle Bush, Jeb Bush Jr.

Jeb Bush Jr. (left)

(L-R) Jeb Bush, Jr., Kairos Fellow Jonathan Shriftman, and guest attend the welcome dinner at the Kairos Society Global Summit at Espace on February 22, 2013 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Kairos Society)  -- Son of Jeb Bush & Columba Bush -- Brother of George P. Bush, Noelle Bush
(L-R) Jeb Bush, Jr., Kairos Fellow Jonathan Shriftman, and guest attend the welcome dinner at the Kairos Society Global Summit at Espace on February 22, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Kairos Society) -- Son of Jeb Bush & Columba Bush -- Brother of George P. Bush, Noelle Bush

Noelle Bush

Noelle Bush (R), pictured on January 24, 2003 in Orlando, Florida.  (Photo by Chris Livingston/Getty Images)  -- Daughter of Jeb Bush & Columba Bush -- Sister of George P. Bush, Jeb Bush Jr.
Noelle Bush (R), pictured on January 24, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Chris Livingston/Getty Images) -- Daughter of Jeb Bush & Columba Bush -- Sister of George P. Bush, Jeb Bush Jr.

Neil Bush

Neil Bush speaks during an event at the White House on July 15, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)  -- Son of George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush -- Father of Lauren Bush Lauren, Ashley Bush, Pierce M. Bush -- Brother George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch
Neil Bush speaks during an event at the White House on July 15, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) -- Son of George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush -- Father of Lauren Bush Lauren, Ashley Bush, Pierce M. Bush -- Brother George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Marvin Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch

Maria Bush

Maria and Neil Bush at Becca Cason Thrashes residence. Becca Caason Thrash Honors Plum Sykes Second Novel 'the Debutante Divorcee' in Houston.  (Bill Olive/Getty Images).  -- Second Wife of Neil Bush
Maria and Neil Bush at Becca Cason Thrashes residence. Becca Caason Thrash Honors Plum Sykes Second Novel 'the Debutante Divorcee' in Houston. (Bill Olive/Getty Images). -- Second Wife of Neil Bush

Lauren Bush Lauren

FEED founder Lauren Bush Lauren arrives at the FEED USA Target launch event on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)  -- Daughter of Neil Bush & Sharon Smith (Bush's first wife)
FEED founder Lauren Bush Lauren arrives at the FEED USA Target launch event on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) -- Daughter of Neil Bush & Sharon Smith (Bush's first wife)

David Lauren

David Lauren (L) and Lauren Bush Lauren attend the Ralph Lauren fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014 at St. John Center Studios on February 13, 2014 in New York City.  (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)  Husband of Lauren Bush Lauren
David Lauren (L) and Lauren Bush Lauren attend the Ralph Lauren fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014 at St. John Center Studios on February 13, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) Husband of Lauren Bush Lauren

Ashley Bush

Ashley Bush (L) and Lauren Bush attend a special screening of 'I Love You Phillip Morris' hosted by The Cinema Society and DeLeon Tequila at the School of Visual Arts Theater on November 22, 2010 in New York City.  (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)  -- Daughter of Neil Bush & Sharon Smith (Bush's first wife)
Ashley Bush (L) and Lauren Bush attend a special screening of 'I Love You Phillip Morris' hosted by The Cinema Society and DeLeon Tequila at the School of Visual Arts Theater on November 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) -- Daughter of Neil Bush & Sharon Smith (Bush's first wife)

Pierce Bush (center)

Lauren Bush Lauren, Pierce Bush and Ashley Bush attend The Hollywood Reporter & Samsung with The Cinema Society screening of A24's 'The Spectacular Now' at The Crow's Nest on July 26, 2013 in Montauk, New York.  (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)  Son of Neil Bush & Sharon Smith (Bush's first wife)
Lauren Bush Lauren, Pierce Bush and Ashley Bush attend The Hollywood Reporter & Samsung with The Cinema Society screening of A24's 'The Spectacular Now' at The Crow's Nest on July 26, 2013 in Montauk, New York. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images) Son of Neil Bush & Sharon Smith (Bush's first wife)

Marvin Bush

U.S. President George W. Bush and brother Marvin Bush watch a basketball game at the Summer Olympics on August 9, 2008 in Beijing, China.  (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)  -- Son of George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush -- Brother of George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch
U.S. President George W. Bush and brother Marvin Bush watch a basketball game at the Summer Olympics on August 9, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images) -- Son of George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush -- Brother of George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch

Dorothy Bush Koch

U.S. President George W. Bush kisses his sister Mrs. Doro Koch at a fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Dec. 5, 2003 in Baltimore, Maryland.  (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)  -- Daughter of George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush -- Sister of George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush
U.S. President George W. Bush kisses his sister Mrs. Doro Koch at a fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Dec. 5, 2003 in Baltimore, Maryland. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images) -- Daughter of George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush -- Sister of George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Pauline Robinson Bush, Neil Bush, Marvin Bush

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