Bush family will let Trump attend funeral but won't let him speak
Add this to the growing list of humiliating snubs Trump’s been subjected to since taking office.
Trump will not be eulogizing President George H.W. Bush at his funeral, continuing the trend of Trump being excluded from the events surrounding the deaths of major political figures.
CNN reports that while Trump is scheduled to attend the event, he will not speak. The outlet noted that “presidents are traditionally asked to eulogize presidents who have died.”
Trump has had a contentious relationship with the Bush family.
Trump attacked the Bushes throughout the duration of his presidential campaign, declaring early on, “The last thing we need is another Bush in the White House. Would be the same old thing (remember ‘read my lips, no more taxes’).”
During the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, he derided Jeb Bush as “low energy” and repeatedly lambasted his campaign efforts.
In an interview with author Mark Updegrove, George H.W. Bush said of Trump, “I don’t like him. I don’t know much about him, but I know he’s a blowhard. And I’m not too excited about him being a leader.”
The elder Bush also confirmed that in 2016, despite his prominent role in Republican politics, he voted for Hillary Clinton.
The Bushes and their extended network of political operatives skipped the Republican convention where Trump was nominated.
Trump did not attend the funeral for Barbara Bush in April. Instead he went to his Florida property Mar-a-Lago as the event was underway.
When Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) died, Trump was reportedly asked to stay away from the event. President Barack Obama, who won a bitterly contested election against McCain, was asked by the family to eulogize his former rival.
Despite occupying the presidency for nearly two years, Trump has been regularly excluded from having a significant role at historical events.
His predecessors from both parties were regularly involved in the time-worn rituals of the office.
Trump stands alone.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.
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