Trump Criticized for Golfing Amid Iran War After Bush's Past Comments Resurface

Former President George W. Bush faced backlash for golfing during wartime, setting a precedent that Trump is now facing.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 10:24pm

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A 2008 interview with former President George W. Bush has resurfaced, where he criticized the idea of a commander-in-chief playing golf during wartime, saying "I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf." This comes after President Donald Trump was seen golfing on March 8, 2026, just days after a Time magazine cover story titled "Trump's War" was published about the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Why it matters

The resurfaced comments from Bush set a precedent that Trump is now being held to, as the public and politicians like Rep. Jasmine Crockett criticize the president for appearing to prioritize leisure activities over wartime responsibilities. This raises questions about leadership, optics, and the appropriate conduct of a commander-in-chief during times of conflict.

The details

In the 2008 interview, Bush said he decided to quit golfing after the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, stating "I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf." He added, "I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal." Trump was seen golfing on March 8, 2026, just days after a Time magazine cover story titled "Trump's War" was published about the ongoing conflict with Iran. This has led to criticism from politicians like Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who slammed the Trump administration over the cost of the president's golfing habits.

  • In May 2008, Bush said he decided to quit golfing after the August 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.
  • On March 8, 2026, Trump was seen playing golf.

The players

George W. Bush

Former President of the United States who criticized the idea of a commander-in-chief playing golf during wartime.

Donald Trump

Current President of the United States who was seen golfing amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Jasmine Crockett

Texas Representative who slammed the Trump administration over the cost of the president's golfing habits.

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What they’re saying

“I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf.”

— George W. Bush, Former President

“If we are gonna talk about efficiency... let's talk about the fact that, as of March 30, Trump's golfing has cost us approximately $26 million.”

— Jasmine Crockett, Texas Representative

What’s next

The public and political scrutiny over Trump's golfing during wartime is likely to continue, with potential calls for the president to curtail his leisure activities and demonstrate more visible engagement with the ongoing conflict.

The takeaway

The resurfaced comments from former President Bush have set a precedent for the public's expectations of a commander-in-chief's conduct during wartime, which Trump is now being held to. This highlights the importance of optics and leadership in times of crisis, and the need for presidents to balance their responsibilities with public perception.