Bush Calls Kanye West's Katrina Rant 'Most Disgusting Moment' Of Presidency

'He called me a racist. And I didn't appreciate it then. I don't appreciate it now,' Bush tells Matt Lauer.
By Jayson Rodriguez

George W. Bush and Kanye West
Photo: Getty Images

Kanye West has made best-dressed lists and landed on our Hottest MCs in the Game countdown. But one list the rapper probably never thought he'd make is George W. Bush's list of low points during his presidency.

In an interview with "Today" show host Matt Lauer, the 43rd president of the United States revealed West's rant during a telethon for Hurricane Katrina relief — "George Bush doesn't care about black people" — was his worst moment as chief executive of the country.

"It was one of the most disgusting moments in my presidency," Bush confided.

"He called me a racist," the former president told Lauer. "And I didn't appreciate it then. I don't appreciate it now. It's one thing to say, 'I don't appreciate the way he's handled his business.' It's another thing to say, 'This man's a racist.' I resent it, it's not true."

The full interview is set to air November 8 on NBC as a part of an evening telecast billed "Matt Lauer Reports." Bush is promoting his forthcoming book "Decision Points."

Entertainment Weekly scored a preview of the sit-down that includes Lauer pressing the former president on the context of his scathing retort regarding West's comment.

When pushed on whether the West incident really qualified as "the worst moment" of his presidency, a claim Bush made to his wife at the time, the former president was steadfast in his characterization. "Yes," he replied. "My record was strong, I felt, when it came to race relations and giving people a chance. And it was a disgusting moment."

Lauer prodded once more, attempting to compare the incident to the actual damage Katrina had done. "I also make it clear that the misery in Louisiana affected me deeply as well," Bush explained. "There's a lot of tough moments in the book. And it was a disgusting moment, pure and simple."

Related Artists

• Kanye West

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1651415/20101103/west_kanye.jhtml

Marisa Tomei Marla Sokoloff Marley Shelton Mary Elizabeth Winstead Megan Ewing