Bush Family Fortunes (2003)
In this thought-provoking documentary, investigative journalist Greg Palast delves into the intricate web of power, privilege, and influence surrounding the Bush family. Released in 2004, the film dissects various aspects of George W. Bush’s presidency, focusing on two critical events: the 2000 US presidential election and the Iraq War.
The film opens with pre-title footage from an interview with Florida Director of Elections Clayton Roberts, who abruptly exits the room. Palast sets the stage by introducing George W. Bush, emphasizing his popular image as a war hero—reinforced by his dramatic landing on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during the 2003 “Mission Accomplished” speech. However, the documentary quickly unravels this facade.
Palast introduces Charles W. “Bill” White, an authentic former Navy fighter pilot. White exposes Bush’s attempt to reenact Tom Cruise’s iconic Top Gun carrier landing after a supposed heroic MiG shootdown. The truth emerges: Bush’s landing was nothing more than a pathetic publicity stunt.
The film then delves into Bush’s military service—or lack thereof. Palast alleges that Bush used his father’s influence to secure a draft-dodging placement with the Texas Air National Guard, which he subsequently failed to fulfill.
Transitioning to the 2000 US presidential election, Palast implicates Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. They allegedly wielded their influence to purge and discount ballots from predominantly Gore-supporting black voters using a “fake felons list” compiled by private company DBT / ChoicePoint for a hefty sum of US$ 4 million.
The documentary further examines corporate donors to Bush’s election campaign. Figures like Enron CEO Ken Lay, part of Bush’s pioneer network, contributed substantial sums through family and friends. Palast contends that these donors later profited from the Bush presidency through senior government appointments, no-bid contracts, executive orders, and deregulation.
Palast traces the Bush family’s history in the oil business, revealing what he calls the “Bush cycle”: using money to gain political office and then leveraging that office for even greater financial gain. This cycle dates back to Senator Prescott Bush, who funded the family’s entry into the oil industry. Palast cites examples such as Bush’s Harken Energy winning a contract to drill in the Persian Gulf, allegedly thanks to Bush Sr.’s presidency.
The research behind this documentary also influenced other works, including Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” and Robert Greenwald’s “Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election”.
In summary, Bush Family Fortunes sheds light on the intricate connections between wealth, politics, and power, challenging the notion of democracy as we know it.