Tommy Chong Claims Bush Family ‘Had a Hit on Me’

Tommy Chong, one half of the iconic stoner comedy duo Cheech & Chong, recently made headlines with bold claims about former President George W. Bush. The 86-year-old comedian alleged that Bush played a role in his 2003 conviction for selling drug paraphernalia, accusing the former president of ordering a “hit” on him.

Chong was sentenced to eight months in federal prison after pleading guilty to selling 7,500 bongs and water pipes online. While the case was initiated by the U.S. Attorney for Western Pennsylvania, Chong believes Bush and his family were behind his legal troubles.

“They had a hit on me. The Bush family,” Chong said during an appearance on comedian Bill Maher’s podcast, Club Random. Joined by his longtime comedy partner Cheech Marin, Chong clarified that by “hit,” he meant his arrest was politically motivated, a distraction orchestrated by the Bush administration during the early days of the Iraq invasion. “He was invading Iraq, so they needed some sort of hippie bull****,” Chong said, referring to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Maher questioned whether Chong’s arrest was part of a larger “wag the dog” scenario, a political strategy to divert attention from controversial issues. Chong agreed, recalling how his sentencing took place on September 11 and claiming the judge in his case, Judge Schwartz, had a reputation for aligning with the Bush administration.

Cheech Marin chimed in, suggesting that Chong became the face of a campaign targeting online paraphernalia sales. Operation Pipe Dreams, led by then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, was a crackdown on businesses selling drug paraphernalia, and Chong was one of the most high-profile figures caught in its net.

When asked if he harbored any bitterness toward Bush, Chong responded, “No, no,” though he admitted the experience was a life-changing one. Despite the ordeal, Chong described his time in prison as surprisingly positive, calling it “a nice experience” for himself, though acknowledging the emotional toll it took on his family.

Chong has previously described himself as a “political prisoner” and has spoken about the impact his arrest had on his loved ones, particularly his wife. As of Tuesday, Bush’s media team had not responded to requests for comment regarding Chong’s recent claims.