Here is why President George H.W. Bush absolutely hated broccoli, and people love him for it
Former President George H.W. Bush hated one particular vegetable so much that when he was president, he made sure the world knew about it.
At the age of 65, on March 23, 1990, Bush spoke at a news conference about his Air Force One broccoli ban. There he revealed his true feelings about the vegetable.
President George H.W. Bush stated:
“I do not like broccoli. And I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!”
George H.W. Bush's Children and Grandchildren Mourn Their Late Patriarch at U.S. Capitol Ceremony https://t.co/1D3dkikf9h
— People (@people) December 4, 2018
For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa. He made the announcement after a year of his presidency and three years before he left the position.
The late former president passed away at the age of 94 on Friday. As part of his tributes, social media users have addressed his dislike for the vegetable and praised him, once more, for it.
However, in 2016, a letter from a 5-year-old boy named Cooper was given to the former president. In it, the young boy tried to convince Bush to change his mind about broccoli.
It read in part:
"My grama [sic] told me that you do not like broccoli and never want it served. I just want you to know that I love broccoli. Mr. President, broccoli is really good for you. I wish you liked broccoli like I do."
Bush was moved by the note and he gave a response via Twitter. At the time, he’d written:
“Proud of young Cooper's interest in healthy eating. His declared love of broccoli is genuine, if also unpersuasive.”
I'll never forget when Pres. Bush said how he hated broccoli -lo & behold every child throughout the land cried "If the President isn't going to eat broccoli I don't have to eat it either!" to the consternation of broccoli farmers everywhere. RIP #Bush41 https://t.co/7ELIp1pbpC
— EA Bucchianeri ✒️📚 🔥 (@EABucchianeri) December 1, 2018
Since his passing, social media users have referred to his dislike of the vegetable in their tributes. One Twitter user wrote: "May you not eat broccoli in Heaven, sir."
I'm a Democrat, but I'm an American first. I am grateful for George Bush seniors service to our country. I don't like broccoli anymore either.
— selena xochitl martinez (@selenamrtnz) December 2, 2018
Rest in peace Mr. President
Both Democrats and Republicans praised him for his sternness when it came to the broccoli issue. Even people who love the vegetable also celebrated the politician.
🔴 #LIVE Former President George H.W. Bush’s body arrives at the U.S. Capitol, where he will lie in state until Wednesday morning > https://t.co/2D2JMcC5Md #kprc2 #hounews #bush41 #remembering41 pic.twitter.com/6AY3hM1oh8
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) December 3, 2018
After Bush made his declaration of hate for broccoli known, his wife First Lady Barbara Bush received a delivery of the vegetable from California growers. They sent them as part of a larger donation to Washington, DC food banks.
