In December 2008, during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, an Iraqi journalist named Muntadhar al-Zaidi made global headlines when he threw his black leather shoes at then-President George W. Bush. This dramatic act of protest was a symbolic gesture of anger and frustration towards the U.S. military presence in Iraq and the policies of the Bush administration. The incident was captured on camera and quickly spread across the world, sparking intense debate and discussion.
Following the incident, the shoes, identified as a pair of size 10 black leather loafers, were confiscated by Iraqi security forces, and al-Zaidi was arrested. Despite facing potential charges of assault, al-Zaidi gained widespread support and admiration from many Iraqis and people around the world who saw his actions as a bold expression of dissent against perceived injustice. Meanwhile, the shoes themselves became iconic symbols of resistance, with some viewing them as powerful artifacts of political protest.
In the aftermath of the incident, reports emerged that a Saudi Arabian businessman offered $10 million to buy the shoes. While the authenticity of this offer remains uncertain, it underscored the intense emotions and symbolic significance attached to the event. Although there were sporadic instances of increased interest in similar shoes and even attempts to replicate the design, the overall sales of the specific shoe model did not see a significant increase. Nonetheless, the shoe-throwing incident served as a memorable moment in history, reflecting the complex and contentious dynamics surrounding the Iraq War and the global reaction to it.
