Bush, who served as America's 41st president between 1989 and 1993, released an official statement Wednesday apologizing for having "patted women's rears" in what was "intended to be a good-natured manner." The statement followed claims by actress Heather Lind, who accused Bush Senior of touching her repeatedly on her rear end and telling her a dirty joke at a promotional event in 2014.
Just in: Statement from George HW Bush on allegations by actress pic.twitter.com/hKBd4GHQgg
— David Mack (@davidmackau) October 25, 2017
A second woman, Jordana Grolnick, a New York theater actress, has come forward with a similar story, telling the online news website Deadspin that Bush groped her on the behind during a group photo while joking that his favorite magician was "David Cop-a-Feel."
and how many men has he "humorously groped"? George Bush senior apologises for ‘humorous’ gropes https://t.co/Vb3hjUcaHz via @BDliveSA
— Keith Scott (@drkeithscott) October 26, 2017
The difference between Googling "George Bush joke" last week and this week couldn't be more stark. Sigh. 😞 pic.twitter.com/d4afadxL8H
— Rebekah Noell (@Bexnoell) October 26, 2017
People are giving George Bush Sr a pass just because he's old? What about Joe Biden? I hold both Republicans & Dems to the same standard. https://t.co/p7soFmdCuL
— Trumpster (@tayfan2) October 26, 2017
Others, meanwhile, tried to add some levity to the disturbing news by making below-the-belt jokes.
#WednesdayWisdom
— Todd W. Haines (@Todd_W_Haines) October 25, 2017
When taking a group photo with the Bush Family…
NEVER stand next to George H.W. Bush.#HeatherLind #GrabAss #BushIsBack pic.twitter.com/oyHKWMSfF9
The H.W. in Bush Senior's name stands for "Horny Wheelchair"
— I will never stop posting the bologna cake (@UweBollocks) October 25, 2017
Just found out George Bush is a bigger perv than me. I keep all my thoughts in my head. #ThursdayThoughts
— Disabled War Vet (@DisabledWarVet_) October 26, 2017
Some users tried to turn the story into a case of what-about-ism, recalling the Bill Clinton sex scandal from the 1990s. Others still pointed out that President Donald Trump too seems to have some sort of immunity to such scandals.
George Bush Sr touched a couple butts in his 90s, wheelchair confined — perv.
— 👻ChiefKnockahoma👻 (@jarrodbcecil) October 26, 2017
Bill Clinton rapes women — $500k speaking engagements.
I believe what G Bush Senior did was bad.. stupid.. awkward. Either he’s dumb or an old perv. Still, NOTHING compared to Bill Clinton.
— Theodore (@tedalias) October 26, 2017
Wheelchair bound George Bush pats woman on butt at age 90 — Hysteria breaks out
— Brian Krassenstein🐬 (@krassenstein) October 26, 2017
Trump Grabs woman by the pussy, gets elected President
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange slammed the media for focusing on Bush Senior's sexual indiscretions, instead of what Assange described as war crimes in Iraq committed "on the back of fake news." Assange's views were echoed by others.
Good to see that the Washington Post is finally addressing the crimes of the now 93 year old wheelchair bound former president H W Bush who killed tens of thousands men and women in Iraq on the back of fake news (Kuwaiti incubators) https://t.co/CTlPhzLfB1 pic.twitter.com/pnrv5G0m1x
— Julian Assange 🔹 (@JulianAssange) October 26, 2017
George H.W. Bush apologizes after actress accuses him of groping; when is GW going to apologize for war crimes. https://t.co/nNsnE0lrWK
— Randy C (@graymalkin26) October 26, 2017
Some users said that the claims reveal a much deeper problem facing the US political elite, which seems to give people in high office, Republican or Democrat, a pass when it comes to sexual indiscretions.
"David Cop-a-Feel" Trump copped a feel, Bush Sr copped a feel and Clinton used cigars…….I believe USA has a sexual predator problem.
— chris copperton (@trumpsuce1) October 26, 2017
George Bush Sr. sexually assaulted a woman.
— Riley (@TheRileyWilson) October 25, 2017
So did Clinton.
So did Trump.
If you’re wondering why women don’t come forward, this is why.
Finally, a few users launched a bizarre defense of the former president, asking the media to leave him alone and suggesting that this scandal has been blown out of proportion.
I don't particularly like George Bush but our country is disgusting when you won't leave a 92-year-old man alone you've hit a new low
— ⚡️Search for truth⚡️ (@lamb_not) October 26, 2017
