Politics is a weird business. One day you’re the face of the party, and the next, you’re watching someone else tear down everything you built while you’re trying to paint a portrait of a tree in Dallas.
That’s basically been the life of George W. Bush since 2016.
If you’re looking for a single, explosive "gotcha" quote where 43 calls 45 a name, you might be disappointed. Bush is old school. He believes in the "Presidents Club" code—the unwritten rule that former presidents don't trash-talk their successors. But if you look at the breadcrumbs he’s left over the last decade, it’s pretty clear he isn't exactly a fan.
Actually, some of the things he has said are more stinging than any Twitter insult could be.
What George Bush Said About Trump: The "Weird Shit" Incident
Let’s start with the most famous line. It wasn't in a speech. It wasn't even meant to be public.
On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump gave his "American Carnage" inaugural address. It was dark, isolationist, and a total 180 from the "compassionate conservatism" Bush used to preach. As the ceremony ended and the VIPs were heading back inside, Bush reportedly leaned over to some of his peers and said:
"That was some weird s***."
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Honestly, that quote tells you more about the vibe between these two than any official press release ever could. When asked about it later on NPR, Bush pulled the classic "I don't remember saying that" move, which is basically political code for "I definitely said it, but I’m not going to confirm it on the record."
The Coded Attacks: Bullying and Bigotry
Bush’s most significant public comments came in late 2017. He gave a speech at the Bush Institute in New York that felt like a point-by-point rebuttal of the Trump era, even though he never once uttered the name "Donald Trump."
He talked about how "bullying and prejudice" in public life sets a "national tone" that gives people permission for cruelty. He lamented that our politics seemed more vulnerable to "conspiracy theories and outright fabrication."
It wasn't exactly subtle.
He also made a big point about immigration. While Trump was talking about "the wall," Bush was writing a book called Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants. He explicitly stated that "bigotry or white supremacy in any form is blasphemy against the American creed."
You don't need a decoder ring to figure out who he was talking to.
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The January 6th Comparison
Things got much more serious after the Capitol riot. Bush released a statement that didn't just express "concern"—it was a flat-out condemnation. He compared the scenes to a "banana republic" and called out the "reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election."
Later, at a 9/11 memorial in Shanksville, he went even further. He compared domestic extremists—the people who stormed the Capitol—to the foreign terrorists who attacked the country in 2001. He said they are "children of the same foul spirit."
That is heavy stuff.
Coming from a guy who built his entire legacy on the War on Terror, calling Trump's most fervent supporters "children of the same foul spirit" as terrorists is about as harsh as it gets.
The 2024 Silence and the "Write-In"
So, where does he stand now? Well, for the 2024 election, Bush has basically gone into radio silence. While his Vice President, Dick Cheney, made waves by endorsing Kamala Harris, Bush’s team made it clear he wouldn't be endorsing anyone.
He’s "retired from presidential politics," apparently.
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But history gives us a clue about how he actually votes. We know for a fact that in 2016, he and Laura left the presidential line blank. They just didn't vote for a president. In 2020, Bush admitted he wrote in Condoleezza Rice.
Basically, he’d rather vote for his former Secretary of State than his own party’s nominee.
Why This Friction Matters
The tension between Bush and Trump isn't just about personalities. It’s about two completely different versions of the Republican Party.
- The Bush Era: Globalist, pro-free trade, interventionist, and focused on institutional dignity.
- The Trump Era: Populist, protectionist, "America First," and focused on disruption.
Trump spent a good chunk of his 2016 campaign trashing the Bush legacy, especially the Iraq War and Jeb Bush. He effectively ended the Bush political dynasty in a matter of months. Bush isn't the type to forget that, but more importantly, he seems to genuinely believe Trump's style of politics is a threat to the country's "civic learning."
Actionable Takeaway: How to Read the Silence
If you're trying to figure out what George Bush thinks about Trump today, don't look for a press conference. Look at what he does.
- Watch the Statements: When Bush speaks about "institutions," "democracy," or "decency," he is often signaling his disapproval of the current MAGA direction.
- Follow the "Presidents Club": Notice how often he appears with the Obamas or the Clintons. These appearances are meant to project a sense of "normalcy" and "pre-Trump" order.
- Check the Foundation: The George W. Bush Presidential Center often releases papers on the importance of the NATO alliance or immigration reform—topics where he and Trump are at total odds.
The reality is that Bush has chosen a path of quiet dissent. He hasn't become a "Never Trumper" firebrand, but he hasn't lifted a finger to help Trump either. In the world of high-stakes politics, sometimes saying nothing says everything.
If you're following the current political cycle, pay attention to the remaining "old guard" Republicans. Their refusal to endorse is often the most significant "statement" they can make without breaking the protocol they hold so dear.