Rain happens. It doesn't care if you're the former President of the United States or just a guy at a bus stop. On January 20, 2017, the heavens opened up right as Donald Trump was starting his inaugural address, and George W. Bush found himself in a relatable, low-stakes war with a thin piece of plastic.
You've probably seen the photos. The 43rd president is sitting there, essentially wrestling a transparent sheet that refuses to cooperate. It’s hilarious. Honestly, it’s the kind of moment that makes a politician look like a regular person again.
The George W Bush Poncho Battle Explained
The scene was the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. While the country was hyper-focused on the transfer of power and the "American Carnage" speech, a secondary drama was unfolding in the VIP seating. As the drizzle started, the high-profile guests reached for their gear. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden tucked themselves under a sleek bubble umbrella. Melania Trump had hers ready.
But 43 went for the George W. Bush poncho.
It was a standard, clear, disposable rain slicker. The kind you buy for five bucks at a stadium when you realize you forgot your coat. For whatever reason—wind, static, or just the general physics of cheap plastic—the thing would not go on.
Why It Became a Legend
One minute, the poncho is over his head like a ghost costume. The next, he’s peeking out from under it with a "well, I tried" grin. At one point, the plastic even seemed to flop over and smack Dick Cheney.
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The internet, being the internet, didn't miss a beat. Within minutes, the George W. Bush poncho was trending globally. People called it "the most relatable thing he’s ever done." Others joked that he was playing peekaboo with the American public.
It wasn't just a funny photo. It was a weirdly humanizing moment in the middle of a very tense, polarized day.
What the Former President Actually Said About It
Most politicians would ignore a meme like this. They’d think it’s beneath the dignity of the office. Not Bush. He’s always leaned into his "regular guy" persona, especially in his post-presidency life as a painter.
A few months later, he went on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen, of course, didn't let him off the hook. She showed the clips. Bush laughed.
"The poncho was a problem. Have you put one on? It’s the first time putting a poncho on, it looks like it."
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He basically admitted that when you're the President, you have a "poncho handler." You don't have to worry about the logistics of plastic seams or hoods. Once you’re out of office, you’re on your own. You’re back to being the guy who can’t figure out how to unfold the rain gear.
His daughters, Jenna and Barbara, were the ones who told him he was "trending." He told reporters later that he didn't even know what that meant at the time. He just saw the pictures and realized why everyone was laughing.
The Viral Legacy of the 2017 Inauguration
We tend to remember inaugurations for the big speeches or the fashion. But the George W. Bush poncho incident belongs to a specific category of "human" moments that survive much longer than the political talking points.
It joins the ranks of:
- Bill Clinton getting distracted by balloons at the DNC.
- The "Side-Eyeing Chloe" of the political world.
- Bernie Sanders and his knitted mittens in 2021.
There’s something about seeing the most powerful people in the world struggle with the same annoying stuff we do. A stuck zipper. A tangled umbrella. A rogue piece of plastic. It breaks the "statue" version of these figures.
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Misconceptions and Rumors
Some people tried to read deep political meaning into the struggle. There were tweets suggesting he was "hiding" because he was embarrassed by the speech. Or that he was "suffocating himself" metaphorically.
That’s overthinking it.
If you look at the full video, he’s actually having a pretty good time. He’s chatting with the Obamas. He’s winking. He’s being "Dubya." The poncho wasn't a political statement; it was just a cheap product doing what cheap products do: failing at the worst possible moment.
Actionable Takeaways from the Poncho Incident
If you ever find yourself in a high-stakes outdoor event where rain is a possibility, don't let a George W. Bush poncho moment happen to you. There are actually better ways to handle this.
- Test the Gear: If you’re buying those $5 disposables, take one out of the package at home. Learn where the armholes are. They are never where you think they are.
- Opt for the Bubble Umbrella: There’s a reason the Obamas looked so composed. Clear bubble umbrellas provide visibility and better wind resistance than a flimsy sheet of plastic.
- Embrace the Meme: If you do fail, laugh. The reason the public loved the Bush moment wasn't because he failed, but because he didn't look angry about it. He looked like a guy who knew he was being ridiculous.
The George W. Bush poncho remains one of the most enduring images of that day because it was honest. In a world of carefully curated PR and scripted moments, a guy losing a fight with a raincoat is the kind of reality we actually want to see.
To avoid your own sartorial disaster, invest in a high-quality, reusable rain jacket with a structured hood. If you must use a disposable poncho, look for "heavy-duty" versions that have actual snaps rather than just being a giant plastic bag with a hole. Your dignity—and your hair—will thank you.