George W. Bush Reacts to Donald Trump Winning Election
Former President George W. Bush has released his first statement on the 2024 presidential election, congratulating his fellow Republican, President-elect Donald Trump.
“I congratulate President Trump on his election as 47th President of the United States of America, as well as Vice President-elect JD Vance and their families,” he said in a statement released on Wednesday 11 a.m. ET.
🇺🇸 GEORGE BUSH CONGRATULATES TRUMP ON 2024 WIN
George W. Bush congratulated Donald Trump on his election as the 47th President of the United States.
George W. Bush:
“I congratulate President Trump on his election as 47th President of the United States of America, as well as… pic.twitter.com/JWCQWlqK1B
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 6, 2024
George W. Bush congratulates President-elect Trump.
Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have yet to do so. pic.twitter.com/AclnZKBuBI
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) November 6, 2024
Bush was notably absent from the Republican National Convention this summer, and also declined to endorse Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris before the results were known, despite Bush’s former running mate, Dick Cheney, endorsing Harris. Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, also called for Bush to endorse Harris, while his own daughter, Barbara Bush, canvassed for Harris in Pennsylvania last month.
The Associated Press declared Trump the winner after he sealed Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes, pushing him past the 270-vote threshold needed, at 5:34 a.m. ET.
Bush, who since his presidency has been an active painter in Texas and produced a book called Portraits of Courage of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, also thanked Harris and President Biden for their service.
“Laura and I are grateful to the election officials, poll workers, and volunteers who oversaw a free and fair election,” he said. “We join our fellow citizens in praying for the success of our new leaders at all levels of government,” adding that the high turnout in the election is a sign of strength in American democracy.
He added: “We join our fellow citizens in praying for the success of our new leaders at all levels of government. May God continue to bless our great country.”
Kamala Harris has yet to publicly address her defeat, and is expected to deliver her concession speech at Howard University this afternoon at 4 p.m. ET.
Bush’s congratulatory message is one of many received by Donald Trump since his victory was declared.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump over X, formerly Twitter, saying: “Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!
“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” he said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also posted to X, saying: “Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.
“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added to the congratulatory messages, saying: “I appreciate President Donald Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer.”
