Fact Check: Did Bush say he celebrated no longer having started the 'dumbest war in US history'?
WASHINGTON, DC: A claim circulated online that former President George W Bush publicly said he was celebrating no longer having started the "dumbest war in US history." The statement appeared in social media posts and memes, prompting widespread discussion about whether Bush actually made such a remark. Here’s what the facts show.
Claim: George W Bush celebrated ending the 'dumbest war in US history'
The claim originated in a widely shared Facebook post, which stated: “CRAWFORD, TEXAS—Stating, 'I never dreamed this day would come,' former President George W. Bush confirmed on Tuesday that he is celebrating no longer having started the dumbest war in US history.”
The post included fabricated quotes attributed to Bush, including: "When you make a boneheaded mistake as epic as I did, you pretty much assume that no one will ever do something stupider. I gotta say, I'm pinching myself." Another fake quote read, "If anyone was going to out-dumb me, it was gonna be this guy," and "Look, I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but even I know not to stare at an eclipse."
Fact Check: George W Bush never made the statement, it is satire
After verification, there is no evidence that George W. Bush made any such statements. The claim originated from The Borowitz Report, a site that clearly describes its content as satirical. Its author, Andy Borowitz, notes on the About page: "I've been writing satirical news since I was eighteen. This represents either commitment to a genre or arrested development."
No reputable news outlet reported that Bush ever celebrated or commented on ending what the claim called the "dumbest war in US history." The viral post was purely satirical and not based on any factual event.
Remark surfaces amid US action against Venezuela
In 2003, George W. Bush launched the US invasion of Iraq, which became a nearly decade-long conflict. While total spending figures are debated, a 2007 Congressional Research Service fact sheet estimated that the US spent more than $10 billion per month on Iraq.
The satirical claim about Bush emerged online as President Donald Trump's administration escalated actions against Venezuela, including attempts to capture President Nicolás Maduro and asserting oversight over the country. Both Iraq and Venezuela are nations rich in crude oil, adding context to why such war-related commentary continues to circulate online.
