Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

magicarpet

(19,427 posts)
26. Poppy Bush, jet lag, taking Halcion to control it, then the Japanese Prime Minister got spewed by barf.
Fri May 15, 2026, 10:44 AM
May 15

George H.W. Bush collapsed and vomited on Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa during a state dinner in Tokyo. Suffering from acute gastroenteritis and jet lag, Bush had taken the sedative Halcion (triazolam) to sleep and was likely affected by the illness, not exclusively the medication.

Key Details of the Incident:

The Incident: During the dinner at the Prime Minister's residence, a sickly Bush slumped over and vomited into Miyazawa’s lap before fainting, according to reports from Wikipedia and History.com.

Medical Factors:

Bush was suffering from a 24-hour stomach flu (gastroenteritis). He confirmed taking the prescription sedative Halcion to cope with jet lag, a drug that was under scrutiny at the time for side effects including nausea, though he was also battling an active virus.

Immediate Reaction:

He was quickly attended to by his wife, Barbara Bush, and Secret Service agents, recovering shortly after.

Aftermath:

The incident, often referred to as a "gaffe," became a major media story, spawning the slang term "bushu-suru" in Japan, meaning to "do the Bush thing" or vomit in public.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

If only... n/t hlthe2b May 14 #1
I do not see a snorkel,... with any luck he might drown. magicarpet May 14 #2
I'm shocked that he didn't fall asleep until the final course. greatauntoftriplets May 14 #3
Stimulants used irisblue May 14 #5
--- but the report says he woke up in time for his two scoops. 3Hotdogs May 14 #16
Do the Chinese have a taboo againt squirting hot Chinese mustard up a sleeping visitor's ass ? eppur_se_muova May 14 #4
One Ton Nincompoop in the Won Ton Soup. usonian May 14 #6
Snicker niyad May 14 #14
General Tso-Tso's Chicken Out Soup (nt) Pinback May 14 #23
If only he drowned in it sakabatou May 14 #7
I needed a gut laugh, and I did! Gaytano70 May 14 #8
It coulda happened... surfered May 14 #9
Correct me if I'm wrong but... llmart May 14 #10
Maybe it was Japan MustLoveBeagles May 14 #13
Yeah, it could have been that. llmart May 14 #15
He fainted into dinner. milestogo May 14 #18
Compassion enid602 May 14 #20
I think it happened in Japan FakeNoose May 14 #22
I remember that. Bumbles May 15 #24
I had to check the link. niyad May 14 #11
Poppy Bush, jet lag, taking Halcion to control it, then the Japanese Prime Minister got spewed by barf. magicarpet May 15 #26
Nah, he's just blinking. Midnight Writer May 14 #12
I absolutely love it. LilElf70 May 14 #17
Looks like Leroy Fedders. yonder May 14 #19
That's the most flattering, true-to-life photo of him that I've ever seen! calimary May 14 #21
That's the funniest thing I have seen all week. Thanks.. Ray Bruns May 15 #25
I lived in Suji in Korea for two years. Most Koreans I met eat like that, with their heads face down near in the bowl. AZLD4Candidate May 15 #27
LOL LetMyPeopleVote May 15 #28
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Trump Unwittingly Breaks ...»Reply #26