After remaining non-committal throughout the campaign, former President George W. Bush has now publicly congratulated Donald Trump on his presidential win according to The Daily Mail.
George W. Bush commended the high voter turnout and the election's integrity, marking his return to the political discourse. His congratulatory message was seen as him showing fealty to Trump after years of establishment Republicans like Liz Cheney attacking Trump.
During the recent presidential election, George W. Bush, aged 78, refrained from endorsing any candidate while focusing on Republican efforts to maintain control of the Senate. However, following the election results, he broke his silence with a congratulatory message on Wednesday.
In an Instagram post, Bush celebrated Trump's victory and expressed his gratitude towards the outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their service.
Bush's message not only congratulated Trump but also acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved in the election process, from officials to volunteers, praising the robust voter participation as indicative of a strong democracy.
The former president chose a significant moment to make his sentiments known, aligning his congratulations with public acknowledgments from various leaders. His post came shortly after Donald Trump was declared the winner by major news outlets, following crucial victories in swing states that assured him over 270 Electoral College votes.
Bush did not shy away from expressing his views on the democratic process, sharing a message of thanks and hope in his update. "The strong turnout in this election is a sign of the health of our republic and the strength of our democratic institutions," stated Bush.
"Laura and I are grateful to the election officials, poll workers, and volunteers who oversaw a free and fair election," he added, reflecting on the collective effort that led to a successful electoral process.
While Bush maintained his silence during the campaign, former Vice President Dick Cheney endorsed Kamala Harris, highlighting differing opinions among Republican leaders. President Bill Clinton also commented on Bush's neutral stance, supporting his decision to stay silent, given his past clear positions on various issues such as immigration.
Clinton praised Bush for his principled stand and continued support for figures like local Congressman Colin Allred, who Bush supported against Senator Ted Cruz.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump began his first day as president-elect by engaging with world leaders, signaling the start of his transition into the White House.
As Bush extended his congratulations, Kamala Harris was preparing to concede the election. Her concession was scheduled ahead of a planned speech at 6pm ET, signaling a forthcoming end to this election cycle.
Bush's post concluded with a forward-looking message, "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," encapsulating his hopes for the nation under its new leadership.
This move by Bush to publicly acknowledge the new president-elect underscores the traditional peaceful transfer of power and the enduring values of American democracy, despite his previous reticence during the campaign trail.
