--- title: "George W. Bush displays 9/11-themed paintings" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/media/george-w-bush-displays-911-themed-paintings" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/george-w-bush-displays-911-themed-paintings" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/george-w-bush-displays-911-themed-paintings.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/george-w-bush-displays-911-themed-paintings" category: "Media" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-12T03:05:18.349Z" source_reported: "2026-09-12T02:36:00.000Z" updated: "2026-09-12T05:15:19.002Z" trust_score: 76 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 28 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-12T23:00:18.065579+00:00" --- # George W. Bush displays 9/11-themed paintings *Former president exhibits 16 artworks inspired by the 2001 attacks at his presidential library* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 76 of 100, higher is better. Trust 76: two independent full reports name Bush and include specific figures and dates. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic 95: reports explain significance, quote Bush and visitors, give clear facts and next steps. - Hype 28 of 100, lower is better. Hype 28: language is measured with mild emphasis, no clickbait or sensational claims. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - George W. Bush is exhibiting 16 paintings at his presidential library in Dallas, Texas, inspired by the 9/11 attacks. - The collection includes depictions of the moment Bush was informed of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center. - Bush wrote a caption for the exhibit stating, “Twenty‑five years ago, the actions of an enemy revealed the spirit of the American people.” - The artworks are on display to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2001 attacks. Former President George W. Bush is displaying a series of 16 paintings at the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas, Texas. The artworks are themed around the 11 September 2001 attacks and were unveiled to mark the 25th anniversary of the events. Bush wrote a caption for the exhibit, which reads, “Twenty‑five years ago, the actions of an enemy revealed the spirit of the American people.” He added, “May we always honor the precious lives stolen, and may God bless America.” The collection includes depictions of the moment Bush was told a second plane had struck the World Trade Center, and America was under attack. Other paintings in the series show the dust cloud from the buildings' collapse over New York, an outstretched hand holding a first responder's badge, and an American flag unfurled down a building. Bush took up painting a few years after leaving office in 2009. Previous exhibits have featured portraits of veterans and American immigrants. ## Disagreement on exhibit details HuffPost reports that one painting depicts an outstretched hand cradling the badge of what would seem to be a fallen first responder. CTV News states that one painting shows an outstretched hand cradling the badge of a fallen first responder, and another shows an American flag filling the entire frame while illustrating the Pentagon. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports mention the total number of people killed in the 9/11 attacks, a figure of 2,977 provided by CTV News. ## Who covered it Shares of the 27 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 48% (13) - Centre: 48% (13) - Right: 4% (1) 3 of 30 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-12T23:00:18.065579+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 79 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-12T23:30:19.294Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated outlets focused on the specific paintings and the moment Bush learned of the attacks. HuffPost highlighted Bush painting the moment he was told a second plane hit the World Trade Center, and noted the use of a 9/11 photo as a meme. People reported on a self-portrait of Bush learning about the Twin Towers attack. Washington Sun and Mediaite also focused on Bush painting the moment he was told the US was under attack. Raw Story quoted social media users calling Bush an 'absolute madman' and an 'absolute mad man' in reaction to the paintings. ### Centre - Centre-rated outlets highlighted Bush's remembrance of 9/11 through his art and the exhibit's themes. CTV News noted that Bush returned to the defining moment of his presidency with brush and canvas, painting symbols and people that have stayed with him. The Hill reported that Bush unveiled new paintings depicting his reaction when told 'America is under attack.' Political Wire stated Bush revisited the morning of 11 September 2001 through paintings. ARTnews reported that the paintings reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that emerged from the attacks. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 4 - high: 23 - unknown: 3 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Thelocalreport.in](https://articles.thelocalreport.in/george-bush-9-11-paintings-show-ex-president-finding-out-about-terrorist-attack-netizens-say-this-is-insane) — George Bush 9/11 paintings show ex-President finding out about terrorist attack; netizens say ‘this is insane’ - THE LOCAL REPORT ARTICLES - [Newser](https://newser.com/story/396332/george-w-bush-unveils-911-paintings-for-25th-anniversary.html) — George W. Bush Unveils 9/11 Paintings for 25th Anniversary - [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/george-bush-9-11-paintings-show-ex-president-finding-out-about-terrorist-attack-netizens-say-this-is-insane-101789202184635.html) — George Bush 9/11 paintings show ex-President finding out about terrorist attack; netizens say ‘this is insane’ - [KDFW](https://fox4news.com/news/white-house-photographer-recalls-documenting-bush-9-11) — White House photographer recalls documenting Bush on 9/11 - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/27032215a49f90ad) — George W. Bush Unveils Paintings Recalling His Experience Of 9/11 - [tippinsights](https://tippinsights.com/george-w-bush-unveils-paintings-recalling-his-experience-of-9-11) — George W. Bush Unveils Paintings Recalling His Experience Of 9/11 - [Stuff](https://stuff.co.nz/world-news/361032561/george-bush-turns-immortal-911-moment-painting) — George Bush turns immortal 9/11 moment into a painting - [SDPnoticias.com](https://sdpnoticias.com/internacional/george-w-bush-compartio-un-autorretrato-por-el-11-s-y-recibio-fuertes-criticas) — George W. Bush Shared a Self-Portrait for 9/11 and Received Strong Criticism - [People](https://people.com/george-w-bush-shares-self-portrait-of-moment-he-learned-about-9-11-12116628) — George W. Bush Puts Self-Portrait of the Moment He Learned About Twin Towers Attack on Display with Other 9/11 Paintings - [Confidencial HN](https://confidencialhn.com/george-w-bush-pinta-un-autorretrato-del-historico-momento-en-el-que-le-avisaron-de-los-atentados-del-11s) — George W. Bush Paints a Self-Portrait of the Historic Moment when He Was Warned of the 11S Attacks - [MYSTATELINE](https://mystateline.com/news/george-w-bush-shares-painting-of-moment-he-learned-of-9-11-attack) — George W. Bush shares painting of moment he learned of 9/11 attack - [Fox8](https://myfox8.com/news/remembering-9-11/george-w-bush-shares-painting-of-moment-he-learned-of-9-11-attack) — George W. Bush shares painting of moment he learned of 9/11 attack - [WGN 9](https://wgntv.com/remembering-september-11/george-w-bush-shares-painting-of-moment-he-learned-of-9-11-attack) — George W. Bush shares painting of moment he learned of 9/11 attack - [EFE](https://efe.com/mundo/2026-09-12/bush-autorretrato-momento-informaron-11s) — George W. Bush Paints a Self-Portrait of the Historic Moment when He Was Warned of the 11S Attacks - [Fox8](https://fox8.com/news/george-w-bush-shares-painting-of-moment-he-learned-of-9-11-attack) — George W. Bush shares painting of moment he learned of 9/11 attack - [KTSM](https://ktsm.com/news/george-w-bush-shares-painting-of-moment-he-learned-of-9-11-attack) — George W. Bush shares painting of moment he learned of 9/11 attack - [WHNT 19 News](https://whnt.com/news/national/george-w-bush-shares-painting-of-moment-he-learned-of-9-11-attack) — George W. Bush shares painting of moment he learned of 9/11 attack - [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/11/bush-paints-the-moment-he-was-told-about-9-11) — Bush Paints the Moment He Was Told About 9/11 - [Slate](https://slate.com/life/2026/09/george-w-bush-september-11-paintings-donald-trump.html) — George W. Bush’s 9/11 Paintings Have to Be Seen to Be Believed - [washingtonsun.com](https://washingtonsun.com/national/george-w-bush-painting-remembering-9-11-twin-towers-meme-collection-series) — George W. Bush Paints the Moment He Was Told About 9/11 - [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/911-2677849021) — 'Absolute madman': George W. Bush's wild 9/11 paintings spark firestorm - [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/11/years-bush-was-mocked-this-911-moment-now-hes-painted-it) — For years, Bush was mocked for this 9/11 moment. Now he’s painted it. - [The Hill](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6085321-george-w-bush-sept-11-paintings) — George W. Bush shares painting of moment he learned of 9/11 attack - [HuffPost](https://huffpost.com/entry/george-bush-911-painting_n_6aa43a2ce4b0b2af35a647fe) — George W. Bush Painted His Own Version Of THAT 9/11 Photo - [The A.V. Club](https://avclub.com/george-w-bush-painting-9-11-anniversary) — George W. Bush paints his way through 9/11 anniversary - [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/media/news/george-w-bush-paints-the-moment-he-was-told-us-was-under-attack-on-9-11) — George W Bush Paints the Moment He Was Told US Was Under Attack on 9/11 - [ARTnews](https://artnews.com/list/art-news/news/george-w-bush-9-11-paintings-revealed-1234798002) — George W. Bush Reveals New 9/11 Paintings: ‘When America Is in Trouble, Americans Respond’ - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/george-w-bush-president-911-attack-speech-b3048652.html) — Striking photo captured moment George W Bush learned about 9/11 - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/bulletin/news/george-w-bush-president-911-attack-speech-b3048652.html) — Striking photo captured moment George W Bush learned about 9/11 - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/world/article/ex-president-bush-remembers-911-through-exhibit-of-his-art) — Ex-U.S. president Bush remembers 9/11 through exhibit of his art ## Questions **What is George W. Bush displaying at his presidential library?** George W. Bush is displaying a series of 16 paintings inspired by the 9/11 attacks at the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas, Texas. The exhibit marks the 25th anniversary of the tragedy and includes a caption written by the former president. **What do the paintings depict?** The paintings depict scenes from the 9/11 attacks, including the moment Bush was informed of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center. Other artworks show the dust cloud over New York, a first responder's badge, and an American flag. Bush himself is featured in half of the paintings. **What did George W. Bush say about the exhibit?** In a caption for the exhibit, George W. Bush wrote, “Twenty‑five years ago, the actions of an enemy revealed the spirit of the American people.” He also stated, “May we always honor the precious lives stolen, and may God bless America.” --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/media/george-w-bush-displays-911-themed-paintings. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "George W. Bush displays 9/11-themed paintings", https://mediabias.news/media/george-w-bush-displays-911-themed-paintings