George W. Bush’s spokesman said Monday that The New York Times report that the former president won’t support President Trump
Donald TrumpCapitol Police recommend disciplinary action for six officers in Jan. 6 internal probe Biden defends Afghanistan withdrawal on 9/11 Will the US emulate China's tech takedown? MORE’s reelection was “completely made up.”
Spokesman Freddy Ford told The Texas Tribune that the Times’s report, which cited people familiar with Bush’s thinking, was false, but that Bush will avoid speaking publicly on his 2020 presidential vote.
"This is completely made up," Ford said. "He is retired from presidential politics and has not indicated how he will vote."
The Times report also said Bush’s brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), who was one of Trump's 2016 primary rivals, is unsure of how he will vote in the upcoming presidential election.
Ford had told the Times that the former president would not get involved in the elections and would only speak out on policy issues like he did last week when he said during massive protests against police brutality the U.S. must “examine our tragic failures.”
Both Bush brothers, as well as their parents, former President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush, said in 2016 that they weren't voting for Trump.
Trump had endorsed Jeb Bush’s son George P. Bush in his reelection for Texas Land Commissioner in 2018. George P. Bush did not endorse his father’s 2016 presidential run before the former Florida governor dropped out of the race.
The Saturday Times article reported that several Republican leaders are struggling with whether to endorse Trump’s second term or throw their support behind presumptive Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyRepublican leaders misjudged Jan. 6 committee New Hampshire Democrat wins GOP-held state House seat Romney blasts Biden over those left in Afghanistan: 'Bring them home' MORE (Utah), the 2012 GOP presidential nominee and one of Trump's chief Republican critics, told The Atlantic in February he would not be supporting the president's reelection.
Cindy McCain, the widow of former Sen. John McCain
John Sidney McCain20 years after 9/11, US foreign policy still struggles for balance What the chaos in Afghanistan can remind us about the importance of protecting democracy at home 'The View' plans series of conservative women as temporary McCain replacements MORE (R-Ariz.) is likely to back Biden, although it’s unclear how public she will make her decision, according to the Times.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell
Colin Luther PowellCivil rights museum to honor Michelle Obama, Poor People's Campaign In Afghanistan, lines between aid and government agendas are blurred The Powell Doctrine could have helped us avoid the Afghanistan debacle MORE, who served under Bush, announced on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that he was backing Biden.
