Fact Check: Did George W Bush say he quit golf during Iraq War to show 'solidarity' with families?

WASHINGTON, DC: In mid-March, a rumor circulated online claiming that former President George W Bush once said he'd quit playing golf during the Iraq War out of respect for the families of those serving in the military.

The claim went viral across social media platforms soon after the United States and Israel initiated war in Iran. But is there any truth to the viral claim? Let us find out below.

Claim: George W Bush said he quit golf during Iraq War to show 'solidarity' to families

An X user posted on March 10, "Bush on why he quit golf during the war: 'I didn’t want some mom whose son may have died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf. I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best I can. And I think playing golf during a war sends the wrong signal'."

Similarly, a Facebook user also shared a similar claim with a photo as the caption read, "Bush made these remarks on May 13, 2008, while reflecting on his decision to stop playing golf after August 2003, following a deadly bombing at the UN headquarters in Baghdad."

The post also shared the alleged quote, including pictures of President Donald Trump playing golf, along with the words, "Trump this weekend after a 7th service member dies in Iran," implying that the POTUS was being disrespectful while Bush displayed decency. 

Fact Check: True, George Bush made the statement in 2008

The claim in viral social media posts is true: George Bush made the statement during a live interview with Yahoo and Politico on May 13, 2008.

The interview was widely noted at the time as the former President's 'first ever on-camera interview exclusively for an online audience,' as Politico wrote in its announcement of the event. 

Former President George W Bush delivers a tribute during the funeral service of former Vice President Dick Cheney at the National Cathedral on November 20, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

During the interview, Bush was asked whether he had not been golfing in "recent years" due to the Iraq war, and the former POTUS said, "Yes, it really is. I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the Commander-in-Chief playing golf. I feel I owe it to the families to be as, to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."

Interestingly, Bush was referencing the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello, a longtime United Nations diplomat who was killed in a bombing in Baghdad in August 2003. 

Moreover, Credible outlets also reported Bush's statement about playing golf at the time.