James Reynolds Bath (born August 18, 1936, in Natchitoches, Louisiana) is an American businessman and former Texas Air National Guard associate of George W. Bush, known for handling investments and his ventures in aircraft sales, leasing, and real estate. He moved to Houston, Texas, in 1965 at age 29 to work as an aircraft broker, initially joining the Texas Air National Guard and later being hired by Atlantic Aviation in 1968 to open a Houston office. Bath served in the Guard during the early 1970s alongside George W. Bush, forming a close association that extended to business; he invested $50,000 in Bush's Arbusto Energy oil and gas exploration company in 1977. His career took a significant turn around 1974-1975 when he met Salem bin Laden, half-brother of Osama bin Laden, and became the U.S. business representative for the Saudi Binladin Group construction firm. He also established partnerships with prominent Saudi businessman Khalid bin Mahfouz, handling investments and alliances that intertwined American and Saudi interests.

Bath's connections have placed him at the center of controversies and conspiracy theories, particularly regarding his ties to the Bush family and the bin Laden family. Allegations surfaced that his $50,000 investment in Arbusto Energy originated from bin Mahfouz and bin Laden interests, though Bath has denied this. In Michael Moore's 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, Bath's name was highlighted as censored from Bush's military records, fueling theories of a hidden link between Bush and 9/11 events. Bath was involved in lawsuits, including disputes with former partner Charles White, who accused him of using Saudi funds for investments. Despite downplaying his role as a 'small, obscure businessman,' Bath's friendships extended to influential figures like the family of Senator Lloyd Bentsen, and he partnered in real estate with Bentsen's son. His activities remain shrouded in mystery, with speculation about intelligence ties, though no verified criminal convictions are documented.

Throughout his career, Bath has maintained a low profile, focusing on strategic business alliances amid geopolitical tensions. He is criticized for facilitating opaque financial flows between U.S. political figures and Saudi entities, drawing scrutiny in investigations into influence networks. As of recent reports, Bath, now in his late 80s, continues to be referenced in discussions of historical U.S.-Saudi business entanglements.