Trump dismisses Bush's message of national unity, tweets his own odd 'plague' prophecy

(Image credit: Screenshots/YouTube/George W. Bush Presidential Center)

published 4 May 2020

On Saturday, the George W. Bush Presidential Center posted a message from the 43rd president. "This is a challenging and solemn time in the life of our nation and world," Bush began. With black-and-white photos and soft music, he urged America to show compassion and creativity in battling the coronavirus, thanked the medical professionals risking their own lives to treat patients, and reminded America that the country has overcome hard challenges before and that "empathy and simple kindness are essential, powerful tools of national recovery."

"Let us remember how small our differences are in the face of this shared threat," Bush said. "In the final analysis, we are not partisan combatants. We are human beings, equally vulnerable and equally wonderful in the sight of God. We rise or fall together. And we are determined to rise."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.