Washington – Donald Trump, the disruptive, anti-establishment president who spent years deriding much of what George H.W. Bush stood for, set aside differences in politics and temperament Saturday to honor the iconic American and former president a day after his death.
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Trump declared a period of national mourning and ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days to honor a man of “sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership.” The president and first lady Melania Trump added that Bush had “inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service.”
Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, was 94.
The quarter-century since Bush left office featured his Republican Party’s steady march away from his steely pragmatism and international partnership, culminating in the dramatic break from long-held GOP principles ushered by Trump’s election. It coincided with a swing in the nation as a whole toward more tribal politics.
While Trump spoke graciously, he has not always been so kind to Bush or his family. He ran against one of Bush’s sons, Jeb Bush, in the GOP presidential primaries in 2016, and was sharply critical of the two-term presidency of another, George W. Bush. He shattered the unwritten norms of the small fraternity of Oval Office occupants by keeping up criticism of the Bushes from the West Wing.
The White House announced Saturday that the Trumps would attend a state funeral for the former president at Washington’s National Cathedral.
The announcement marked a reversal from earlier this year, when the president was pointedly not invited to the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush, the family matriarch and the late president’s wife of 73 years. Melania Trump attended instead.
The Trumps were informed of Bush’s death late Friday while in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the Group of 20 summit of rich and developing nations.
Trump said he spoke with former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to express his sympathies. He praised the elder Bush, who died Friday, as “a high-quality man who truly loved his family.”
Sitting alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he refused to answer whether he had any regrets over his past criticism of the Bushes. He did say that Bush’s death “really puts a damper” on his participation at the summit.
In South America, Trump canceled a planned news conference, tweeting that “out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral” to hold one.
Trump also designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning. He encouraged Americans to gather in places of worship “to pay homage” to Bush’s memory, adding, “I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.”
The proclamation hails Bush as “one of America’s greatest points of light,” a reference to one of the former leader’s signature phrases about the impact of American civic culture.
Trump mocked the “points of light” phrase at some of his campaign rallies this year. He contrasted it with his own campaign slogan, saying “Putting America first, we understand. Thousand points of light, I never quite got that one.”
In August 2015, Trump tweeted a dig at the presidency of George H.W. Bush, writing: “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”). GREATNESS!” As a candidate, Bush promised “no new taxes” but reversed himself in office.
Those harsh assessments were set aside in the Trumps’ comments Saturday.
“President Bush guided our nation and the world to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War,” the Trumps wrote. “As President, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed.”
“And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction.”
They wrote that those whom Bush had inspired to public service were “illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world.”
Trump, the 45th president, paid tribute to “the life and legacy of 41.”
compared to Bush trump is shoe shine boy
Trump was a lot thinner in the photo, appearing above.
Admit it. It crossed your mind: are they letting the Orange Toxin into the funeral? He’ll defile it.
Manafart, Mike Coi’hen, Flynn, Papadop and Schloppy Schteve aren’t invited. Too traife.
To #4 - How is he in top health with a high calcium buildup in his arteries, which was revealed in his last medical report, by Admiral Jackson? Also, since January, he has gained another 15-20 pounds. Admiral Jackson last January stated that he would like to see Trump do exercise, and lose 15 lbs. Trump has accomplished neither of those goals (i.e. no exercise,eating cheeseburgers, and other high calorie junk food, and gaining weight). Incidentally, Bush #4 1 was not an anti-semite; however, his Chief of Staff’s, namely James Baker, and John Sununu were.
To #13 - Your remark that “you could care less about his health (Trump), shows how out of touch with reality you are. You have the chutzpah to refer to my concerns as stupid. Your attitude shows how ignorant you are of American history. The Presidency is a very high stress job, and the American people are entitled to have a President who is in good health, and not just “high energy”. Trump is a Physician’s nightmare, vis-a-vis his health. A man who is 72 years old, who is at least 50-60 pounds overweight, who eats junk food all of the time, who does not exercise, and who has a very high stress job, is headed for trouble. This has nothing to do with party affiliation. For example, Eisenhower was a chain smoker, and suffered a heart attack, as well as a stroke while in office. LBJ had a history of heart trouble; Warren G. Harding had a stroke and was incapacitated while in office. JFK had multiple health problems (i.e. Addison’s disease, constant pain, etc.). Our healthiest Presidents in office, were Harry S. Truman, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmie Carter, Clinton, Bush #41 and Bush #43 , and Obama. It should be noted that every President whom I named exercised.
Correction to my posting in #17 - I meant to state that Woodrow Wilson had a stroke while in office, and was incapacitated, and not Warren G. Harding, who succeeded Wilson.
To #18 - I think that you are a psycho, completely devoid of reality; you formed an idiotic hypothesis that I wish Trump ill will, just because I criticized his weight, his bad eating habits, and his health, in general. Every Physician whom I know, takes a preventative approach to medicine; that is, they stress to patients to avoid health problems in the future, but eating right and exercising. Trump’s former Physician (whom Trump praised), Admiral Ronnie Jackson, repeatedly stressed more exercise for Trump, better eating, and a diet to lose weight. If you believe that is fake news, you can download a U-Tube video of his press conference this past January. It is for the benefit of the American public for Trump to stay healthy. If he becomes ill, the stock market will take a nose dive, and you know it. Incidentally, Archy, why don’t you make a New Year’s resolution to learn how to spell properly. The word “semitic” and “petty” are spelled as illustrated, and not the cockamanny way that you “learned” how to spell. Case closed!
Jews are never happy. They complained about Carter, accused Reagan of antisemitism during his campaign then Bush was elected and all the Jews missed Reagan. Then everyone complained about Baker and Sununu until Clinton came and everyone complained about his peace initiatives and then they missed Bush. So they were happy to get Bush’S son till he tried to get the peace process restarted and then the Jews were upset at him. Now Jews like Trump until they won’t
To #30 - Excellent posting; you hit the nail on the head!