George Bush Calls Michael Phelps After His 8th Medal: Find Out What He Said

Sunday evening in Beijing, about nine hours after Michael Phelps made Olympic history with his 8th Olympic medal at the 2008 Games, he sat down with Lester Holt and Jenna Wolfe of the Today show to discuss his victory. After asking Phelps how "awesome" this all was, to which the swimmer replied "crazy," Lester asked Phelps to describe the phone call he received before coming on the set. Phelps replied:

I just got a call...and was on the phone with President Bush. So uh...it was pretty cool...uh...he actually told me to give my mother a hug and say it was from the president. So, that was pretty cool and we just talked for about five minutes.

Lester then asked him if Bush he asked "any specific questions about any of the races." Phelps responded:

Nothing really, no, he was... I actually met him after the 400IM and he came down onto the pool deck and we got to take some pictures so it was pretty cool.

Here's the account of the phone call from the China Daily:

US President George W. Bush on Sunday telephoned Michael Phelps and told the US Olympics swimming sensation "if you can handle eight gold medals, you can handle anything," the White House said.

"Laura and I are proud of you. Our family is proud of you, but most importantly, America is proud of you," Bush, who was here on his Texas ranch, told Phelps, whose eight gold medals at a single Games are unmatched.

"We're excited for you. You handled yourself with humility. Give your mom a big hug for me. 41 and I were honored to get a picture with her," Bush said, referring to his father, George Bush, the 41st US president.

Bush really refers to his dad as "41"?

Watch the full video of Phelps discussing the phone call here:

Comments

[ICanHasDemocracy]

"You handled yourself with humility", unlike the chest-bumping, back slapping grinning idiot of a President.

[ylpatriot]

Leave it to the Bu$hit trying to rein in on that young mans moments of fame ... Fame which came from his years of hard work and dedication to the sport of swimming .... More than we can say about Bu$hit and anything he earned in his lifetime eh ?

[sandiegoconservative]

Please explain how praising him for acitng with "humility" is somewho reigning in his moment of fame.

[NotWaldo]

GWB swam in the shallow end of the gene pool.

[moseyon]

As an Australian . I would also like to add my congratulations to Micheal . We Aussies love our swimmers and know the hard work and dedication it takes to reach this level.Well done Micheal
we all love a champion and you sure are one.

Maureen in Australia

[ESerafina42]

Why would I want to know what Commandant Cuckoo-Bananas said? I didn't even look at the article - just felt like putting in my 2¢.

[doodlefarbe]

Wow, we're really feeling the love here tonight, no?

[escobar]

Oh we'd but him into a pot floating with potatos, carrots and cabbage and simmer the mess for a day.
He's been a clown taunting the country with his face through the sheet and everyone has a sawdust baseball.

[01202009]

I would hope Bush would say, "Since you're a real hero, Michael, I want you to be the first to know that I'm resigning.­..."

[Vinca]

01202009:WOULDN'T THAT BE GREAT NEWS?

[Pupadup4oBama]

AHHHHH Don't TEASE us 01!
That just made my heart skip a beat.

[c1ee]

He probably said 'Dude, you were totally awesome.'

[kelzk]

He seriously refers to his father as '41'? Wow. Just wow.

I'm sorry, Michael. If only you'd won those medals in 2012, maybe you could've taken pictures with an admirable president.

[progressivelady]

I hate gw, just another day that Idiott ruined,

[NoblesseOblige]

W. is an idiot--in or out of the water.

[Americatortures]

on a site like this where Bush is the Devil incarnate.­..you think we want to see this bunk??? I'm throwing up in my own throat!! Did he offer Phelps a signed copy of " MY PET GOAT???

[YouDisgustMe]

LOL

[chinationreport]

Care to see this picture of Phelps with Bush? He got the flag right in this picture:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-08/18/content_6945971.htm

And scroll down to see these ones, not if you have high blood pressure
http://www.chinationreport.com/bushputingates.html

From:
http://www.chinationreport.com/#EditorsChoice

[mikebythesun]

I'm pretty annoyed at Bush for this! It's because of his crappy economy that state universities all over the US had to drop swim programs (Rutgers and Men's swimming, specifically). I will bet that in 8 year's time, the national swim team won't be a quarter as great as this years.

[Birdman]

GW said "Wow Michael, I bet I could ride my bike faster then you can swim. Why don't ya come over to white house I will challenge you to a race, if win can I take your medals? No? Dick will be coming by to see you do you like to hunt?

[johnnygoodwud]

bush: michael you were awesome. hey mike, let me ask you a question, which way am i supposed to wave the flag? dang i can never remember

[tbsdca]

What an irony.....­.. The World's biggest LOSER calling the World's Greatest WINNER!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!

[Americatortures]

LMAO!!