Biden grandchildren detail Obama daughters' friendship, navigating presidential life in 'Today' interview

President-elect Joe Biden's granddaughters are looking to their childhood friends – Sasha and Malia Obama, the daughters of former President Barack Obama – for guidance on how to navigate being family members to the president of the United States.

"Today" host Jenna Bush Hager – daughter of President George W. Bush and granddaughter of President George H. W. Bush – sat down with four of Biden's grandchildren: 27-year-old Naomi, 22-year-old Finnegan and 20-year-old Maisy, the daughters of Hunter Biden; and 16-year-old Natalie, daughter of the late Beau Biden who died of brain cancer in 2015.

"Maisy and I and Natalie and Naomi have had the privilege of being able to see two of our friends navigate eight years of what was really difficult, and they did so so beautifully and they came out so grounded and humble," Finnegan said. "They're so smart and driven, so I think we can all take advice from them. We can only hope to do as well as they did."

Biden's grandchildren, who all call him "pop," grew up attending the same school as Obama's daughters. Maisy Biden played basketball with Sasha Obama and considers her a close friend. Their coach was Barack himself.

"There were a lot of teams that were like, 'This is unfair, they can't have the president be their coach,' " Maisy Biden said. "But, I mean, we won."

She noted her grandfather was always present as sporting events, even if he had to hurry straight from a political engagement.

Ashley Biden, his daughter, said her father "loves being a grandfather." The four girls said he calls each of them nearly every day, and the young generation of Bidens played a big role in his decision to run in the 2020 election, they said.

Neither Joe Biden's adult children nor his grandchildren will live with him in the White House, but they remained close on the campaign trail and plan to continue. Finnegan Biden joined her grandparents on the campaign trail last year. Naomi Biden noted they will be "a few miles away from my apartment."

The grandchildren spent the week of the election with Joe and Jill Biden, too. Naomi Biden posted a group hug photo after the election had been called in her grandfather's favor.

"When the results came out and CNN called it and MSNBC, it's like your whole body – I mean, everyone's crying and embraced each other. I think we'll always remember that moment."

On Tuesday, the "Today" show aired an interview with Ashley Biden, the 39-year-old daughter of President-elect Biden, who spoke in her first TV interview to Hager about the less-than-normal transition, including a break in tradition for her mother, incoming first lady Jill Biden, and outgoing first lady Melania Trump.

More: Ashley Biden on dad Joe Biden taking office, Melania Trump breaking tea-and-tour tradition

Typically, the outgoing first lady would invite the incoming first lady for tea and a tour of the White House family quarters. However, Ashley Biden confirmed that plans for that haven't been made.

"No, I don't think they're doing the traditional protocol, which is unfortunate," she said. "But I think we're all OK with it."

Biden added that she thinks her mother is an asset for her father in office.

"Mom really keeps Dad grounded. She will always remind him to take out the trash," she said. "She's straight up with Dad. She's… extremely loyal."

Biden confirmed she would not have a job with her father's administration, but said she hopes to "use this platform to advocate for social justice, for mental health – to be involved in community development and revitalization."

She continued, "I do hope to bring awareness and education to some topics, subjects that are really important."

She also said she plans to really "take in the moment" on Wednesday during the inauguration.

"Just be fully present," she said.

Contributing: Sara M. Moniuszko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Biden inauguration: His grandchildren speak on 'Today' show