There is probably no single person—besides Donald Trump—benefiting so much from a Donald Trump presidency than George W. Bush. The mere idea of President Trump has petrified moderate Democrats into yearning for the days we were getting involved in two land wars and destroying our economy while handing out tax breaks to the rich at the expense of everyone else. When former President George W. Bush said he would attend the newly electorally elected Trump’s inauguration it made sense as much as anything else this has over the past four months. While the heavens pissed all over the proceedings, Trump spewed his white nationalist version of a Braveheart speech. George and Laura Bush smiled, waved, shook hands, and then got up and left at the end.
Bush’s endearing struggle with his poncho at the event quickly became a meme, prompting many Democrats on social media to admit that they already pined for the relative normalcy of his administration. Following Trump’s short and dire speech, Bush departed the scene and never offered public comment on the ceremony.
But, according to three people who were present, Bush gave a brief assessment of Trump’s inaugural after leaving the dais: “That was some weird shit.” All three heard him say it.
It’s hard to believe we have a less articulate president now than we did 10 years ago.