Controversial Tag Calling President 'Idiot' Resurfaces on American Manufacturer's Bag

The message, which has been around since 2004, has sparked renewed interest and debate online.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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An unusual message stitched onto the inside label of a bag made by American manufacturer Tom Bihn has resurfaced online, referring to a 'president' as an 'idiot'. The post, shared on the social media platform Threads, has amassed over 87,000 views since it was posted on February 12. The message, written in French, says 'We are sorry that our president is an idiot. We didn't vote for him.' The tag itself is not new, as it was produced by Tom Bihn in 2004, though images of it have continued to circulate on social media.

Why it matters

The renewed attention to the label comes as a Pew Research Center report found that perceptions of the United States had grown more negative in many countries in recent years. The controversial message on the Tom Bihn bag tag highlights the ongoing political tensions and perceptions of the U.S. leadership both domestically and internationally.

The details

The bag label bearing the unusual message has been around since 2004, according to the manufacturer. Tom Bihn, the company's founder and owner, reportedly said he was initially unaware of the message's meaning due to his limited French language skills. Bihn suggested that the 'president' referenced on the tag may not have been political at all, and that it was likely intended as a joke referring to himself rather than a national leader. However, Bihn acknowledged that the wording had an unintended effect once it was interpreted more broadly, with some people in France assuming it referred to then-French President Jacques Chirac.

  • The tag was produced by Tom Bihn in 2004.
  • The image of the tag was shared on the social media platform Threads on February 12, 2026.

The players

Tom Bihn

The founder and owner of the American bag manufacturer Tom Bihn, which produced the bag with the controversial tag.

Jacques Chirac

The former President of France, who some people in France assumed was the 'president' referenced on the Tom Bihn bag tag.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going with the idea that it's a joke about me. Clearly when you use the word 'idiot' and 'president' in the same sentence, people jump to other conclusions.”

— Tom Bihn, Founder and Owner, Tom Bihn (The Ottawa Citizen)

“People out there think a number of presidents are idiots. It's a universal message.”

— Tom Bihn, Founder and Owner, Tom Bihn (The Ottawa Citizen)

The takeaway

The resurfacing of the controversial tag on Tom Bihn's bag highlights the ongoing political tensions and perceptions of U.S. leadership both domestically and internationally. The message, while intended as a joke by the company's founder, has sparked renewed debate and discussion about the global reputation of the United States and its political leadership.