George W. Bush visits FAU, speaks on foreign conflicts, 2024 election
On Tuesday, George W. Bush, former president of the United States, captivated an audience while discussing ‘hot topics’ such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Palestine conflict, immigration, the 2024 presidential election and China.
Hundreds gathered in the Barry Kaye Auditorium at FAU’s Boca Raton campus for this hour-long exclusive conversation with Bush, moderated by Michael Kupinski, Noble’s director of research. This interview was part of NobleCon, a two-day event focusing on economic growth, business and investment.
The interview began with Kupinski asking Bush about the influence of his family, particularly his parents, during his White House tenure.
Bush highlighted the importance of his parents’ support while he was president and continued to share anecdotes, like one involving the Russian president and Bush’s Scottish terrier, Barney.
Bush, who typically remains away from public events, appeared quite at ease, joking and steering the conversation.
Over the hour, the dialogue shifted from personal topics to international and domestic issues. Bush spoke of his post-presidential life as an artist in Texas, emphasizing the fulfillment art brings him and the crucial role of his family during this phase of his life, a time when he rarely voices his opinions on political matters.
However, Bush did critique what he called the “isolationist movement”. Addressing U.S. involvement in Ukraine and Israel, he stressed that “how others live matters to our national security,” highlighting the need for U.S. leadership in promoting freedom and suggesting continued American global engagement.
As the interview progressed, Bush, without revealing his 2024 presidential choice, expressed skepticism about leading candidates Biden and Trump. He called for the need of “new blood” and critiqued the candidates’ ages.
“I’m too old to be president. I know what it takes to be president, and I’m younger than Biden and Trump,” Bush joked.
Bush highlighted his support for the Biden administration’s current response in Ukraine and Israel but criticized immigration policies, pointing to a “broken system” in America.
He emphasized the federal government’s role and responsibility in managing the Southern border while also acknowledging immigrants’ importance and contributions to the U.S., exemplified by the recently deceased Henry Kissinger, he mentioned.
As the conversation ended, Bush reflected on what he believes to be the essentials of presidency: a mastery of U.S. history and the humility to surround oneself with knowledgeable people for collective decision-making.
The 43rd U.S. president left the room to resounding cheers and applause asking him to run again.
Sofia De La Espriella is the News Editor for the University Press. Email sdelaespriel2022@fau.edu or message her on Instagram @sofidelaespriella for information regarding this or other stories.
Latest University Press
- Staff Predictions: Majority of staff predicts 0-2 start for the OwlsFlorida Atlantic’s football team (0-1) is coming off a 16-10 loss to Michigan State University last Friday. They had the opportunity to secure the game in their final drive, but quarterback Cam Fancher was short on the final fourth down. On Saturday, FAU will be playing in their home stadium, Howard Schnellenberger Field, to take...
- ‘A lot of dictates are coming from the Board of Governors’: FAU stakeholders continue to raise concerns during presidential listening sessionA week after Florida Atlantic University’s first Presidential Search listening session on Aug. 29 — where students were noticeably sparse — the Buffkin/Baker search firm, which the search committee has hired to assist in the search for a new president, held the second listening session of the semester on Thursday. Different FAU stakeholders brought up...
- FAU’s New Era Barbershop: ‘The Poor Man’s Country Club’The New Era Barbershop on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus has served as “the poor man’s country club” for students on campus, according to shop owner Angel Santana. “When you think about the country club feel, it’s a membership. It’s people that get together and talk about politics, sports or anything,” said Santana. “The...
- Continuing his penmanship: Brandin Bryant’s release of his second book and the life lessons withinFlorida Atlantic University football alumnus and published children’s book author Brandin Bryant has published again with the release of his sophomore book “Can I Pet That Dog?” “It’s a fun, goofy book about a kid who just can’t keep his hands to himself and he wants to touch a dog, but the dog has boundaries....
- FAU Hockey: Overview of the Division III team’s first seasonAfter having a Division II hockey team for 22 years, Florida Atlantic University is introducing a Division III hockey team for the upcoming season. Both teams are members of AAU College Hockey and the College Hockey South Conference (CHS). Head coach Andrew Yagoda, director of the Florida Panthers Scholastic Hockey League, wrote in an email...
- FAU students continue to build bridges in Eswatini, AfricaThe Florida Atlantic University Bridge Program sends civil engineering students to Eswatini, a country in Southeast Africa, annually to construct cable-suspended footbridges that connect the local communities to essential services. FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science established this program in 2020 with Engineers in Action (EIA), a civil and social organization. Since then, the...