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Clinton, Bill

"Wag the Dog" vs. Reality: Similarities and Distinctions in Clinton's White House Scandal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The release of "Wag the Dog," a movie directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman, just before President Clinton announced the bombings in countries perceived to harbor terrorists has sparked an interesting debate. The film, a satire that depicts a U.S. president using a fabricated war to distract the public from a sex scandal, bears striking similarities with the current White House scandal. However, there are some key differences between the movie and the reality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The movie "Wag the Dog" features a fictional U.S. president trying to distract the public from a sex scandal by fabricating an imaginary war with Albania.
  • In reality, President Clinton is facing a scandal involving his relationship with a White House intern, but he has not been accused of molesting a member of a girl's youth group.
  • The movie's plot, in which the president hopes to get re-elected through a foreign crisis, differs from the reality, as Clinton is not seeking re-election.
  • The terrorist attack that prompted the U.S. intervention in reality was a direct response to the bombings, whereas in the movie, the crisis is wholly manufactured by Hollywood producer Stanley Motss.
  • The movie depicts the filming of fake war footage on a sound stage, whereas the African bombings were covered extensively by the world press.
  • The U.S. intervention in "Wag the Dog" is portrayed as a humanitarian and international-rights issue, whereas in reality, the response was to a direct terrorist attack.
  • The White House scandal has been extensively covered by the media, creating a significant contrast with the movie's depiction of a fabricated war.

Statistics:

  • The movie "Wag the Dog" was released in 1998, coincidentally just before the Clinton White House scandal came to light.
  • Ten years after the film's release, the Clinton presidency is still remembered as a scandal-ridden period.
  • The number of movies and books inspired by the Clinton scandal exceeds 20, including "Wag the Dog," "Primary Colors," and "The Scheme to Save Clinton."

Sources:

  • "Wag the Dog" (1998), directed by Barry Levinson, starring Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman.
  • The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.), KRT Photo Service, 202-383-6099, http://www.ocregister.com/

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