George Bush news
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The gist
George W. Bush is marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with reflections and 16 new paintings.
The milestone renews focus on how the attacks defined his presidency and legacy.
Background
The Sept. 11, 2001 attacks came eight months into George W. Bush's presidency and became its defining moment; he has described himself as becoming "a wartime president" when the second plane hit the towers. Ahead of the 25th anniversary, Bush has given interviews recounting the day and its aftermath, including his visit to a mosque six days later where he declared "Islam is peace." He has also painted 16 new works on the courage, sacrifice and resilience that followed, now displayed at his presidential center.
How it unfolded
- Sep 6, 2026CBS News reports Bush will share reflections on the 25th anniversary with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the George W. Bush Presidential Center at SMU.
- Sep 9, 2026A Reuters reporter who covered 9/11 publishes a first-person remembrance noting Bush, now 80, plans to attend the Ground Zero ceremony.
- Sep 10, 2026Bush recounts the moment he learned the second plane hit the towers, saying 'I became a wartime president,' and recalls visiting a mosque six days after the attacks.
- Sep 11, 2026Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush are to participate in the commemoration ceremony at Ground Zero and visit a fire station to spend time with relatives of first responders.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Barbara Perry of the Miller Center says people close to the events describe every day afterward as feeling like 9/12, with policy and the presidency changing overnight.
- Public
- Coverage highlights Bush's post-9/11 message that 'Islam is peace,' aimed at protecting Muslim Americans facing harassment after the attacks.