Jenna Bush Hager reveals her secret teenage alias and past legal troubles

Jenna Bush Hager is revealing details about her youth — including a secret “code name.”

Bush Hager, age 43, disclosed on a September broadcast of Today that she utilized an alias for hotel reservations during the period her father, former President George W. Bush, was moving from his role as Texas governor.

Sheinelle Jones inquired, “Can you tell us your name now? Is it classified or anything?” and Bush Hager responded, “No. Let’s declassify it.”

Bush Hager went on to say, “My name was Holly Crawford.” She added, “I know, Holly sounds like a good time, doesn’t she?”

Bush Hager — who wed Henry Hager in 2008 — clarified that she didn't come up with the name herself, suggesting it might have been assigned by the secret service. (She and her husband are parents to daughters Mila, 12, and Poppy, 10, and son Hal, 6.)

Bush Hager commented, “Crawford was the name where … my parents had the house [in Texas], but also holly bush? Holly. I mean, I don’t know. I just made that up.” She then quipped, “All I know is, if Holly Crawford shows up, she’s ready to order a margarita.”

Bush Hager and her fraternal twin, Barbara Pierce Bush, were young adults in their twenties throughout their father’s presidential term from 2001 to 2009. Bush Hager has openly discussed her experiences at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, including two instances where she faced legal detentions.

In 2023, Bush Hager clarified to former Today With Jenna & Hoda cohost Hoda Kotb, “I didn’t actually go to jail, I just was arrested.” She elaborated, “I wasn’t even arrested; I was never detained. I just got a minor in possession of alcohol when I was 20 years old because I ordered a margarita at Chuy’s with a fake ID.”

Bush Hager claimed the server contacted authorities because “she didn’t like my dad,” and further remarked, “To her credit, that was dumb. I mean, my dad was the president.”

The initial infraction by Bush Hager took place in April 2001, resulting in her apprehension on a misdemeanor count for underage alcohol possession in Texas. A month subsequent, she incurred a further misdemeanor charge for employing a fraudulent ID to acquire alcoholic beverages. (She entered pleas of no contest for both accusations.)

The Today cohost made light of her previous detentions during an August installment of the NBC program, presenting viewers to Ashley Hicks — the offspring of a secret service operative. Bush Hager elaborated that Hicks garnered internet notice for recounting “typical teenage experiences that many got away with, but she never could.”

Bush Hager stated, “Listen, Ashley. I, too, couldn’t get away with much because I was followed by men with fanny packs that were concealing things,” as her cohost Craig Melvin humorously interjected, “I recall reading articles many years ago about you getting away with a fair amount.”

Bush Hager playfully remarked that she ultimately “didn’t get away with it.” She elaborated, “I was arrested! There’s a mugshot that says I didn’t get away with it.” She then qualified, “No, I wasn’t really arrested like that.”

Notwithstanding the occurrence, Melvin, aged 46, observed that Bush Hager “turned out pretty well.”