Donald Trump trashed Jeb Bush calling him “low energy,” and an “embarrassment to his family.” He also used racist rhetoric to bring Bush’s wife Colomba into the political debate over immigration during the presidential campaign back in 2016. That didn’t stop Bush’s son, George P. Bush from fawning over the former president in an attempt to get his endorsement as he runs for Texas Attorney General against incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton. He even went so far as to make merchandise touting “This is the Bush that got it right. I like him.”
The younger Bush also put up tweets like this, where he insinuated Trump was a friend.
“This made it all the more extraordinary last night when Bush saw his efforts fail spectacularly.” These words from MSNBC’s Steve Benen must sting Bush today:
The former president welcomed his sycophantic tactics, but they were no match for Paxton — who led Lawyers for Trump last year.
Let this be a lesson for other desperate Republicans, wondering how to curry favor with Trump: bending the knee, kissing the ring, and sacrificing one’s dignity isn’t enough.
George P. lost the endorsement to an incumbent who has been indicted for securities fraud and is under investigation by the FBI on corruption.
After the endorsement, Bush pushed “integrity and honesty.” Hard to do that after hitching your wagon to Trump.
Today CNN’s Jake Tapper said, “Whether he got the payoff he desired or not, I have a difficult time getting past that. Whether it is Ted Cruz or George P. Bush, they are willing to look past hideous attacks on family members to get Trump’s support.”
You have to imagine today Bush has to be wondering whether all the praise for Trump was worth it. Now this may be his legacy.
