Kanye West empathized with George W. Bush after they both were labeled racists. The former President reacted to Kanye’s apology in an interview with “Today” show host Matt Lauer.

“I would tell George Bush, in my moment of frustration, I didn’t have the grounds to call him a racist,” Kanye told Lauer in a separate interview. “But I believe in a situation of high emotion like that, we as human beings don’t always choose the right words.”

Bush said he “absolutely” forgives the rapper over his comments in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “I appreciate that,” he said. “I’m not a hater, I don’t hate Kanye West.”