President Thomas Whitmore quotes from Independence Day (1996)

President Thomas Whitmore

Isn't it amazing how quickly everyone can turn against you.

President Thomas Whitmore

That's the advantage of being a fighter pilot. In the Gulf War, we knew what we had to do. It's just… not simple anymore. A lot of people died today. [Sigh] How many didn't have to?

President Thomas Whitmore

May our children forgive us.

President Thomas Whitmore

Call the other planes back.

President Thomas Whitmore

Good morning. [Turns on mic] Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world, and you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind. That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom… Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution… but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice: We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

President Thomas Whitmore

I'm a combat pilot, Will. I belong in the air.

President Thomas Whitmore

Hold on Command! I want another shot at it! Eagle 1 FOX 3!

President Thomas Whitmore

Eagle 1 FOX 2! That is a negative IMPACT that is an NI a negative impact. Im out of missiles. Eagle 2! Oh JESUS!

President Thomas Whitmore

WE ARE NOT DONE YET! DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY MISSILES LEFT?!!! PILOT YOU ARMED?!!

President Thomas Whitmore

Okay, boys, let's give Mr. Casse some cover. Gentlemen! Let's plow the road!

President Thomas Whitmore

He DID IT! THE SON OF A BITCH DID IT!

President Thomas Whitmore

Now we know how to take them out General! Spread the word!

President Thomas Whitmore

My fellow Americans, a historic and unprecedented event has occurred. The question of whether or not we're alone in the universe has been answered. Although it's understandable that many of us feel hesitation or fear, we must attempt to reserve judgment. Panic seen occurring all over the world has caused undue injury and loss of life. This is not how we as Americans should react to what is one of the most significant events in the history of the world. Rest assure we are proceeding with extreme caution. Yet we have to consider the opportunities for ourselves, our children, future generations. These opportunities are vast, very exciting until today totally inconceivable. My staff and I will remain in the White House as we attempt to establish communication. If you feel compelled to leave these cities, please do so in an orderly fashion. According to the adjusted trafficking patterns, civil defense procedures are underway to assure the safety for all those who remain. These are uncertain but exciting times.

I have a confession to make. I'm sleeping next to a beautiful young brunette.

Marilyn Whitmore

You didn't let her stay up all night watching TV, did you?

Of course not.

Daddy let me watch Letterman.

Traitor.

Now what do we do?

President Thomas Whitmore

Address the nation. There's gonna be a lot of frightened people out there.

Yeah? I'm one of 'em.

Albert Nimzicki

Shut up! Captain, get him out of here!

Julius Levinson

Hey, don't tell him to shut up! You'd all be dead now if it wasn't for my David! None of you did anything to prevent this!

General Grey

There was nothing we could do! We were totally unprepared for this.

Julius Levinson

Oh don't give me "unprepared"! It was, what? In the nineteen- what, fifties. Whatever You had that spaceship.

David Levinson

Dad.

Julius Levinson

Yeah, that thing you found in New Mexico. Where was that?

David Levinson

Dad, not the spaceship.

Julius Levinson

Roswell. Roswell, New Mexico. No, you had the spaceship and you had the bodies. They were locked up in a, in a bunker. Where was that?

Sir…I don't know.

Julius Levinson

David? Area 51, right? Area 51! You knew then! And you did nothing!

Sir, regardless of what you may have read in the tabloids, there has never been any spacecraft recovered by our government. Take my word for it. There's no Area 51. There's no recovered spaceship.

Albert Nimzicki

Uh…excuse me, Mr. President. That's not entirely accurate.

David Levinson

What, which part?

I don't understand, where does all this come from? How do you get funding for something like this?

Julius Levinson

You don't actually think they spend $20,000 on a hammer, $30,000 on a toilet seat, do you?

I know there is much to learn from each other if we can make a truce. We can find a way to Co-exist. can there be a peace between us?

Peace? NO PEACE!

What is it you want us to do?

Die…die…

Albert Nimzicki

I understand you are upset over the death of your wife, but that's no excuse for making another fatal mistake.

No, the only mistake I ever made to appoint a sniveling little weasel like you as Secretary of Defense!

Albert Nimzicki

I don't think you understand-

HOWEVER, that is one mistake, I am thankful to say, that I don't have to live with.

Albert Nimzicki

Mr. President-

Mr. Nimzicki… you're fired.

Albert Nimzicki

He can't do that.

Well, he just, um, did.

Happy Fourth of July, Daddy.

Same to you, Munchkin.