George W. Bush has broken 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 he’d chosen focus on keeping the Senate under GOP control rather than weighing in on than White House race.
But on Wednesday, the 43rd president congratulated Donald Trump on his resounding win in the election, thank workers on the frontline – and even praise Biden and Harris for their service.
‘I congratulate President Trump on his election as 47th President of the United States of America, as well as Vice President-elect J.D. 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 has broken his silence on the presidential election after refusing to reveal who he was voting for
‘The strong turnout in this election is a sign of the health of our republic and the strength of our democratic institutions. Laura and I are grateful to 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 on issues like immigration clear.
He also said the Republican had expressed support for his local congressman Colin Allred, who was challenging Senator Ted Cruz in Texas.
‘He’ll tell anybody that, that he’s a good guy,’ Clinton said of Bush’s feelings toward Allred, CNN reports.
‘He also knows, beginning with our relationship, it’s very different when you’re out of political life, when there is no competition, no consequence.
The former president took to Instagram to congratulate Donald Trump and JD Vance on their win
It came after he was criticized for failing to declare his allegiance in the presidential race. Pictured: Trump and wife Melania at an election night watch party in Palm Beach, Florida
Bush offered his congratulations on behalf of himself and wife Laura in a post which also thanked 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 with all this, without giving up the party he’s been with all his life.’
By contrast, Clinton made his allegiance clear as he hit the campaign trail for Harris.
However, his efforts were in vain since the vice president suffered a crushing defeat to Trump on Wednesday.
The president-elect’s victory was hailed as the ‘greatest in history’ after it was announced by the Associated Press at around 5.30am ET.
Trump declared victory after Fox News projected him as the overall winner following decisive victories in three swing states to leave 270 Electoral College votes out of Harris’ reach.
Official confirmation came when the battleground state Wisconsin was called for Trump to push him into an unassailable lead.
Vice President Harris is yet to concede the election
Donald Trump at his election night event in Florida
Sources close to the Republican nominee said that he had so far spent his first day as president-elect taking calls from world leaders.
Trump stormed to 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 tallied, Trump has so far won 277 electoral college points – seven more than he needed
Vice President Harris is yet to concede the election. It is understood she will also call Trump to do so before making a speech at 6pm ET.