Trump compares himself to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, claims he ended eight wars

Donald Trump said he felt angry being called the third best president behind George Washington and Abraham Lincoln during Rose Garden remarks
PUBLISHED OCT 22, 2025
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Donald Trump were compared during Trump’s Rose Garden remarks (Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images, Alexander Gardner/Getty Images, Getty Images)
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Donald Trump were compared during Trump’s Rose Garden remarks (Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images, Alexander Gardner/Getty Images, Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump compared himself to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, according to The Daily Beast.

During a speech at the White House Rose Garden on Sunday, October 21, Trump claimed that Washington and Lincoln never “put out eight wars,” adding that he had done so during his presidency and was now moving toward a ninth.

He said he felt “angry” when a reporter once called him the “third best president,” behind George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a luncheon in the Rose Garden of the White House on October 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted the
 President Donald Trump spoke at a luncheon with Senate Republicans in the White House Rose Garden on October 21, 2025 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Donald Trump compares himself to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

At the White House Rose Garden, Donald Trump discussed his “walk of fame” before turning to two of the most iconic figures in US history—George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

“It’s going to be very tough to beat Washington and Lincoln, but we’re going to give it a try. Right? Hey, they didn’t put out eight wars. Nine coming. All right. We put out eight wars, and the ninth is coming, believe it or not,” Trump said, pointing to what he claimed were his administration’s achievements.

The event took place as Trump hosted Senate Republicans for lunch in the newly renovated Rose Garden, just a day after workers began demolishing part of the East Wing to make way for his planned ballroom. Trump recounted seeing someone “on television” who claimed he was the “third best president” after George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. “I got extremely angry at this man,” Trump admitted.

US President Donald Trump speaks at a 'Rose Garden Club' lunch in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 21, 2025 (Getty Images)
Donald Trump highlighted his administration’s claimed achievements during the Rose Garden Club lunch in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

It’s not clear who the “person on television” was. After mentioning the commentator, Trump addressed the audience and tried to get Senator John Thune’s attention.

He then continued talking about ending eight wars, claiming he had achieved this using economic pressure, citing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and the Israel-Hamas situation.

Donald Trump talks about his White House ballroom project

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: The facade of the East Wing of the White House is demolished by work crews on October 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a ballroom reportedly costing $250 million on the eastern side of the White House. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Workers demolished part of the East Wing of the White House to prepare for Donald Trump’s planned ballroom (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

During the Rose Garden lunch, Trump drew attention to the demolition of the White House East Wing to make way for his $250 million ballroom.

“You probably hear the beautiful sound of construction to the back. You hear that sound? Oh, that’s music to my ears. I love that sound… it reminds me of money. In this case, it reminds me of lack of money, because I’m paying for it,” Trump said.



The ballroom will span roughly 90,000 square feet and is now expected to cost around $250 million, exceeding the $200 million originally announced. “We’re putting up our own money. The government is paying for nothing,” Trump added.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Gavin Newsom stumbled and appeared to deflect as Ben Shapiro pressed him on gender, exposing political discomfort on a divisive issue
3 hours ago
Sean Hannity challenged Shri Thanedar over his refusal to stand while grieving families were acknowledged from the House gallery
4 hours ago
Anti-ICE protesters apparently shouted insults and blew whistles at the civilians they mistook for ICE agents as they tried to exit the restaurant
5 hours ago
Tim Dillon reacted to footage from the American Humane Society’s 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards Gala, which took place at Trump’s Florida estate on Jan 9
5 hours ago
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged donors to support Mary Peltola’s US Senate campaign, backing the moderate Alaska Dem despite ideological differences
6 hours ago
The White House explained that the bruising resulted from frequent handshakes and aspirin use, though speculation persisted
6 hours ago
Tech employees claim anti-ICE protesters confronted them, mistaking them for immigration agents in Minneapolis
7 hours ago
Union leaders say the fatality occurred because the hospitals relied on using unqualified replacement staff during the strike
7 hours ago
A Utah steakhouse owner says Tyler Robinson stopped in alone for a steak dinner hours after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot, later sharing the encounter with federal investigators
7 hours ago
Old Instagram clips showed Charlie Kirk as a Wheeling High School student, including a class project where the late TPUSA founder played US president
7 hours ago