During his speech commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11, former President George W. Bush compared American “extremists” to the jihadi terrorists whose deadly attack on the Twin Towers left nearly 3,000 Americans dead, and called them “children of the same foul spirit.”
“And we have seen growing evidence that the dangers to our country can come not only across borders, but from violence that gathers within,” Bush said. “There is little cultural overlap between violent extremists abroad and violent extremists at home. But in their disdain for pluralism, in their disregard for human life, in their determination to defile national symbols, they are children of the same foul spirit. And it is our continuing duty to confront them.”
Many concluded that Bush was referencing Americans involved in the January 6 storming of Capitol Hill, which resulted in the death of one unarmed veteran female protester after she was shot at point-blank range by a Capitol Police officer, as well as those who support former President Donald Trump. As a result, he faced swift backlash on social media.
“I have personally overlooked many things from former President George W. Bush but his comparison between Trump voters and the Jihadists from 9/11 is an absolute disgrace,” tweeted 9/11 Pentagon survivor and U.S. Air Force combat veteran, Ret. Col. Rob Maness.
“F*cking unbelievable,” he added. “#NeverForget”
Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shared video of the Black Lives Matter and Antifa riots that raged across the United States throughout 2020, writing that she hoped Bush was referring to those far-left extremist groups.
“Was George Bush referring to the domestic terrorism organized through Antifa and BLM riots all over our country? I certainly hope so,” she tweeted.
Retired Green Beret, Gold Star husband and Washington congressional candidate Joe Kent also commented on Bush’s remarks, tweeting, “The only place Bush should be on 9/11 is answering to the American people for all his lies.”
“Instead he’s just showing us that the regime is not just one party, it’s the ruling class that despises us & is not done exploiting us,” Kent continued.
Florida state Rep. and GOP candidate for Congress Anthony Sabatini called former President Bush a “suck individual” and an “embarrassment” for comparing Americans to Jihadists.
“On a solemn day—where many of us are paying respect to the lives of those who were lost through remembrance, prayer, and acts of service—Bush is crafting the narrative that AMERICANS are the new terrorists,” Sabatini tweeted. “What an absolutely sick individual and an embarrassment to our Nation.”
