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Tony Bennett shared some controversial statements with Howard Stern on Sept. 19.
By
Hollywood Reporter
updated 9/20/2011 7:22:53 PM ET 2011-09-20T23:22:53

While promoting his latest album, "Duets II," Tony Bennett appeared on Howard Stern’s Sirius XM radio show on Monday, Sept. 19. While the interview has landed Bennett’s name in the headlines, it may have also earned him some controversial publicity.

According to ABC News, the World War II vet (who described himself as “anti-war”) expressed disdain for the U.S.-Iraq war, calling it “a tremendous, tremendous mistake.” When challenged as to how America should deal with terrorists, specifically those involved with the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, Bennett gave an unexpected answer.

“But who are the terrorists? Are we the terrorists or are they the terrorists? Two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said.

“They flew the plane in, but we caused it,” he continued. “Because we were bombing them and they told us to stop.” After a few moments of contemplative silence, Stern agreed that his guest had made “some good points.”

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Bennett also noted that during a meeting with President George W. Bush in 2005, the head of state disclosed his opinion on the polarizing war. “He told me personally that night, he said, ‘I think I made a mistake,’” Bennett recalled, adding that President Bush “had a special liking to me.”

Bennett’s "Duets II" released on Sept. 20 via Columbia Records. The album features the last compete recording by Amy Winehouse prior to her death, as well as collaborations with Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Aretha Franklin, Josh

Copyright 2012 The Hollywood Reporter

Video: Tony Bennett: Bush called Iraq war a 'mistake'

  1. Closed captioning of: Tony Bennett: Bush called Iraq war a 'mistake'

    >>> tony bennett was the toast of new york this past weekend, a gala 85th anniversary bash. a celebration of his new duets, today he's under fire for something he said about 9/11. he was interviewed on howard stern 's radio show on satellite radio . he said what he witnessed in france and germany in war made him a pacifist later in life. he said the united states caused the 9/11 attacks because of our actions in the persian gulf . george w. bush made a huge admission to him at the kennedy center in 2005 .

    >> he told me personally that night, he said, i think i made a mistake.

    >> really?

    >> he was talking about the war in iraq . a spokesman for former president george w. bush tells nbc news tonight "this account is flatley wrong." he goes on to say, president bush never said that to tony bennett or anyone else. bennett's remarks also started a torrent of comments on the web today. you can see the interview tonight in its entirety on our website.

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