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.

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