When CNN GOP debate moderators asked the presidential candidates who they would like to see on the $10 bill, Jeb Bush answered: “I would go with Ronald Reagan’s partner, Margaret Thatcher. Probably illegal, but what the heck?”
Thatcher served as the British prime minister from 1979 to 1990, during which time Reagan served as president. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan said in a statement following Thatcher’s death that the two were “political soulmates.”
Thatcher was an extremely controversial leader. As The Washington Post notes, after her passing in 2013, some mourned while others celebrated. CNN’s question was meant to be lighthearted, and though British media loved it, a lot of people (both British and American) took to Twitter to share some of their strong opinions.
#JebBush proves that he can't think of a single #American woman that he'd want on the $10 bill over English #MargaretThatcher
— WhosAGoodBoy (@TweetyThings1) September 17, 2015
If the Americans want Margaret Thatcher so much they can have her. In fact I'll dig her up myself and put a stamp on her.
— Adrian Wale (@AdrianWale) September 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/CMEcontent/status/644504727791792128
https://twitter.com/texsassforever/status/644344147051057153
Jeb Bush retracted his suggestion on Thursday during an interview with NBC News. He said that the question wasn’t “the most relevant thing in the world” and he would instead leave it up to the American public to decide.