Bush Criticized for 'Whitewash' of Trump's Presidency

Bulwark editor says Bush's recent critique of Trump was an insult to those fighting to preserve democracy

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Jonathan Last, editor at The Bulwark, has strongly criticized former President George W. Bush for his recent comments about the presidency, saying Bush's remarks amounted to a 'whitewash' of Donald Trump's time in office. Last argues that Bush is misreading history and failing to acknowledge the threat that Trump's presidency posed to American democracy.

Why it matters

Bush's comments have been seen by some as an attempt to downplay the damage done to democratic norms and institutions during the Trump presidency. Last believes this is an insult to those who have been fighting to preserve liberal democracy in the face of emergent authoritarianism.

The details

Last took issue with Bush's claim that 'the office of the president is more important than the occupant' and that the Constitution's wisdom will 'strengthen us for our next 250 years.' Last argued that Trump exposed fundamental flaws in the system, showing how a 'pathologically deranged' president can use the powers of the office to create chaos and instability. He said the only reason American democracy survived was because of the actions of individuals like former Vice President Mike Pence.

  • In January 2021, an armed mob attacked the US Capitol at the direction of the sitting president, Donald Trump.

The players

George W. Bush

The 43rd President of the United States, who recently made comments critiquing Donald Trump's presidency.

Jonathan Last

Editor at The Bulwark, a conservative political website, who has strongly criticized Bush's remarks as a 'whitewash' of Trump's presidency.

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, whose presidency Last argues posed a fundamental threat to American democracy.

Mike Pence

The former Vice President who Last says was the only reason American democracy survived the Trump presidency, by choosing to hold to his duty even as an armed mob came to lynch him.

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What they’re saying

“We now understand that the office of the president is not more important than the occupant. In fact, today we see that the character of the occupant determines the very wisdom of having the office of the presidency as it is constructed.”

— Jonathan Last, Editor, The Bulwark (alternet.org)

“It turns out that if the occupant of the presidency admires dictators and wishes to be a king, then the presidency affords him a truly dangerous amount of latitude to attempt such a transformation.”

— Jonathan Last, Editor, The Bulwark (alternet.org)

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing struggle to understand the lasting impact of the Trump presidency and the fragility of American democratic institutions. It underscores the need for vigilance in protecting democratic norms and principles, even among former leaders.