There have been many negative critiques of President Donald Trump’s inaugural address, but former President George W. Bush reportedly offered what might be the most amusing.
Trump’s speech, which conservative pundit George Will denounced as “the most dreadful inaugural address in history,” featured “American carnage” as its theme, with references to “rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system, flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.”
In public, Bush has not offered any additional commentary on Trump’s inaugural address, focusing instead on discovering his “inner Rembrandt” through his new hobby of painting, observes CNN. “It keeps me active, so I’m not on the couch chewing potato chips all the time,” he confessed during an appearance on the “Today” show.
The scene for the speech was already interesting, given that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom Trump pledged to sic a “special prosecutor” on, was sitting just feet from Trump as he addressed the nation as president for the first time.
Bush, who made headlines that afternoon after struggling with a poncho, was thought to have left without giving comment. According to three people who spoke with Bush after Trump’s address, Bush reportedly described Trump’s speech with five hilarious choice words: “that was some weird shit.”
His portraits of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Dalai Lama and former President George H. W. Bush are on display at his presidential library in Dallas.
A collection of his paintings have also been showcased in a new bestselling book, “Porraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors.” As described by the Crown Publishing Group, the book “features 66 full-color portraits and a four-panel mural personally painted by President Bush of service members and veterans who have served our nation with honor, and whom the President has come to know personally since leaving office.”
The publisher goes on to explain:
“Bush has made it a priority to support and honor America’s veterans as they re-enter civilian life, and ‘Portraits of Courage’ is an integral part of that mission. It is President Bush’s hope that these stories of courage and resilience will honor our men and women in uniform, highlight their family and caregivers who bear the burden of their sacrifice, and help Americans understand how we can support our transitioning veterans and empower them to succeed.”
In the book’s introduction, Bush writes:
“This is a book about the men and women who have been tremendous national assets in the Armed Forces — and who continue to be vital to the future success of our country. The greatest honor of the presidency was looking them in the eye and saluting them as their Commander in Chief. And I intend to support and salute them for the rest of my life.”