Ellen DeGeneres is leveling the playing field.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted the comedian sitting next to former President George W. Bush during Sunday’s matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers.
The unlikely duo had many fans throwing a flag on the play. ”Ellen, this isn’t just a simple difference of opinion. George Bush, his administration, and his colleagues actively discriminated and worked against the LGBT community,” one Twitter user wrote, while another added, “Really, really low standards there Ellen, and pretty pathetic.”
DeGeneres made light of the situation on ”The Ellen DeGeneres Show” Tuesday, calling for more tolerance and kindness while sharing “the whole story” with her viewers.
Yes, that was me at the Cowboys game with George W. Bush over the weekend. Here’s the whole story. pic.twitter.com/AYiwY5gTIS
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 8, 2019
“During the game, they showed a shot of me and George laughing together. And so, people were upset,” DeGeneres said. ”They thought, ‘Why is this gay Hollywood liberal sitting next to a conservative Republican president?’ “
“Here’s the thing,” she added. “I’m friends with George Bush. In fact, I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have. We’re all different and I think that we’ve forgotten that that’s OK.”
DeGeneres continued: “When I say ’be kind to one another,’ I don’t mean only the people that think the same way that you do. I mean be kind to everyone. Doesn’t matter.”
She explained that Charlotte Jones, the daughter of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, invited her and wife Portia de Rossi to sit in Jones’ “fancy” suite at AT&T Stadium.
They, of course, accepted because “we wanted to keep up with the Joneses,” DeGeneres quipped.
She said Jones’ “very fancy suite” came with “fancy friends,” including Bush and former first lady Laura Bush. DeGeneres said they all had “so much fun” that afternoon despite their differences of opinions … on football that is.
“When we were invited I was aware that I was going to be surrounded by people with very different views and beliefs. And I’m not talking about politics. I was rooting for the Packers,” she joked, adding that she hide her Cheesehead Hat in her wife’s purse.
DeGeneres concluded her message by reminding Bush: ”You owe me $6 for the nachos.”
Read more at usatoday.com.
