Former U.S. President George W. Bush has published his first essay on Substack, using the platform to reflect on the leadership of George Washington as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.
The piece was shared in collaboration with In Pursuit, a Substack project focused on civic leadership and democratic renewal.
In the essay, Bush draws on his own experience in office while examining what he describes as Washington’s defining quality: humility.
Why It Matters
Bush’s appearance on Substack places a former president on a platform that has increasingly become a home for long‑form essays, commentary, and newsletters written directly by public figures, journalists and academics.
Substack continues to grow in influence as an alternative publishing space, allowing writers to bypass traditional outlets and speak directly to readers—often through subscription‑based newsletters.
What To Know
Bush’s essay, published on Presidents Day, centers on George Washington’s decision to relinquish power, arguing that it set a lasting democratic precedent.
“Few qualities have inspired me more than Washington’s humility,” Bush wrote, adding that the first president’s willingness to give up authority remains “among the most consequential decisions and important examples in American politics.”
The essay recounted Washington’s resignation as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army after the Revolutionary War, noting that some contemporaries urged him to become king—an idea he rejected.
Bush cites the oft‑quoted reaction attributed to King George III, who reportedly said Washington would be “the greatest man in the world” if he stepped aside voluntarily.
The essay praising Washington’s decision to step aside comes as the idea that Donald Trump would run for a third term has continued to circulate since the beginning of his second term last January—by the president and people in his inner circle. Trump 2028 merchandise went on sale in early 2025.
Trump, though, has repeatedly changed tack on the idea, saying at times that he wasn’t joking about running, and later saying it was not something he would do.
Bush also traced Washington’s early life, military service, and presidency, highlighting his habit of listening to advisers and soldiers alike. He contrasts Washington’s leadership style with the “corrupting nature of power,” a theme Bush returns to throughout the piece.
The essay did not avoid Washington’s flaws, either. Bush acknowledged that Washington was a lifelong slave owner, calling slavery “a stain on an otherwise sterling private and public life,” while noting that Washington freed enslaved people in his will.
Reflecting on his own presidency, Bush wrote that Washington’s example reinforced the importance of recognizing limitations and relying on expert advice:
“For me, that lesson meant recognizing what I didn’t know as President, surrounding myself with advisers who did know what I didn’t know, and listening to them,” the essay said.
What Happens Next
Bush’s essay was published in collaboration with In Pursuit, a project affiliated with a coalition of presidential centers, academic institutions, and civic organizations focused on democracy ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial.
It is not yet clear whether Bush plans to publish additional essays on Substack, but the debut places him among a growing list of high‑profile figures using the platform for long‑form writing tied.
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