George W. Bush broke his silence on the presidential election after refusing to reveal who he was voting for.
Bush, 78, was criticized for not endorsing either candidate with his team, instead confirming that he had chosen to focus on keeping the Senate under GOP control rather than intervening in the race for the White House.
But on Wednesday, the 43rd president congratulated Donald Trump on his resounding election victory, thanked frontline workers and even praised Biden and Harris for their service.
“I congratulate President Trump on his election as the 47th President of the United States of America, as well as Vice President-elect JD Vance and their families,” Bush posted on Instagram.
‘I also thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for their service to our country.
George W. Bush broke his silence on the presidential election after refusing to reveal who he was voting for
‘The strong participation in these elections is a sign of the health of our republic and the strength of our democratic institutions. Laura and I thank the election officials, poll workers, and volunteers who oversaw a free and fair election.
‘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.’
While contemporaries of his administration, such as former Vice President Dick Cheney, controversially endorsed Kamala Harris, Bush remained silent.
President Bill Clinton previously defended Bush, saying he had made his stance clear on issues such as immigration.
He also said the Republican had expressed support for his local congressman Colin Allred, who was challenging Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas.
“He’ll tell anyone that, that he’s a good guy,” Clinton said of Bush’s feelings toward Allred. CNNreports.
‘He also knows that, starting with our relationship, it is very different when you are outside of political life, when there is no competition or consequences.
The former president took to Instagram to congratulate Donald Trump and JD Vance on their victory.
It came after he was criticized for not declaring his allegiance in the presidential race. Pictured: Trump and his wife Melania at an election night viewing party in Palm Beach, Florida.
Bush offered his congratulations on behalf of himself and his wife Laura in a message in which he also thanked the election workers.
“And I think he believes that since he was a proud Republican all those years, it’s enough for him to make clear what he believes in all of this, without giving up the party he’s been in all his life.”
On the contrary, Clinton made her loyalty clear when she began Harris’ election campaign.
However, their efforts were in vain as the vice president suffered a crushing defeat to Trump on Wednesday.
The president-elect’s victory was hailed as the “largest in history” after it was announced by the Associated Press around 5:30 a.m. ET.
Trump declared victory after Fox News projected him as the outright winner following decisive victories in three swing states that left 270 Electoral College votes out of Harris’ reach.
The official confirmation came as the battleground state of Wisconsin received a call for Trump to push it to an unassailable lead.
Vice President Harris Has Not Yet Conceded the Election
Donald Trump at his election night event in Florida
Sources close to the Republican candidate said he had so far spent his first day as president-elect taking calls from world leaders.
Trump achieved victory in both the popular vote and the electoral college last night in an undeniable sign of enthusiasm from the American people.
While the final votes are still being counted, Trump has so far won 277 points in the electoral college, seven more than he needed.
Vice President Harris has not yet conceded the election. It is understood that he will also call Trump to do so before giving a speech at 6pm ET.
