Fahrenheit 9/11

The documentary begins by highlighting the controversial declaration made by Fox News, which prematurely announced George W. Bush as the winner of the 2000 presidential election against Al Gore. This announcement came immediately after CBS had declared Florida for Gore, showing the competitive nature of the election and underscoring the significance of the Florida vote.

The Fox News call for Bush was notably made by John Ellis, Bush's first cousin, which raises major questions about impartiality in media reporting. Additionally, Bush's brother was the Governor of Florida, highlighting the intense familial ties involved in the election's key contest.

The documentary discusses the allegations of election fraud surrounding the Florida vote count. It details how the chairman of Bush's campaign oversaw the vote count and a firm was employed to purge voter rolls, primarily targeting African American voters, which added fuel to the claims of a manipulated electoral process.

Despite some African American Congress members raising objections about the election results, they struggled to find support from Senators to back their claims. Under pressure to maintain silence, these objections highlight the tensions and frustrations within Congress regarding the controversial results.

On the day of Bush's inauguration, protests erupted from the African American community who viewed the election as stolen. Their vocal discontent demonstrated the deep divisions and dissatisfaction within parts of the American populace towards the newly elected president.

The narrative shifts dramatically as the documentary covers the events of September 11, 2001, when the U.S. faced its largest foreign attack. As Bush was informed of the first plane striking the World Trade Center while visiting an elementary school, the nation braced itself for the unfolding crisis.

Despite being notified of the attacks, Bush chose to remain in the classroom and finish reading *The Pet Goat* to a group of children. His decision to continue reading for seven minutes, even after learning about the attacks, has sparked debate over leadership during a national crisis.

Moore unveils the financial connections between the Bush family and the Bin Laden family, noting that approximately $1.4 billion had been invested over the years. This revelation questions the integrity of Bush and his administration in light of these complex relationships.

In a shocking claim, the documentary asserts that the U.S. government facilitated the evacuation of 24 Bin Laden family members shortly after the 9/11 attacks. This operation, conducted under unusual circumstances with the air travel ban in place, raises significant ethical concerns regarding the treatment of foreign nationals during a national emergency.

The documentary scrutinizes Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard and his financial dealings. One notable event involved the SEC investigation into his stock sales in Harken Energy, which coincided with negative news about the company, questioning the ethicality of his actions.

Moore shifts focus to Bush's ties with the Carlyle Group, which profited significantly from the war in Iraq. The involvement of the Bin Laden family as investors in the firm adds another layer of complexity to the narrative regarding financial motives behind military actions during Bush's presidency.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Bush fixated on Iraq as a potential target for military action. This pursuit was marked by a lack of credible evidence linking Iraq to the terrorism witnessed, showcasing the administration’s eagerness to act against a nation without substantial justification.

Following the invasion of Iraq, the documentary contrasts the lives of Iraqi citizens before and after U.S. intervention. It highlights how the media portrayal of Iraqis shifted drastically and critiques the biases found within war reporting, prompting questions of accountability in journalism.

Towards the film's conclusion, Lila Lipscomb's devastating experience as a grieving mother is showcased, mourning the loss of her son in the Iraq war. Her journey of questioning the motives behind the war echoes the sentiments of many families affected in this turbulent time.

As the credits roll, Moore dedicates the film to his late friend and the soldiers who lost their lives in both the 9/11 attacks and subsequent wars. This poignant moment serves as a reminder of the human cost of the political actions explored throughout the documentary.