Former President George W. Bush has announced that he will not endorse any candidate in the 2024 presidential election, continuing his pattern of staying out of national politics. Bush’s refusal to support President Donald Trump highlights the ongoing split between Trump’s America First movement and the neoconservatives who led the U.S. into the disastrous Iraq War.
Bush’s office made it clear that neither he nor his wife, Laura, will reveal how they plan to vote. This decision follows his previous actions in the 2016 and 2020 elections, where he avoided endorsing Trump. In 2020, Bush wrote in Condoleezza Rice as his choice for president, distancing himself from both Trump and Joe Biden.
Bush’s lack of support is seen by many as a reflection of the neoconservative legacy, particularly the Iraq War. The conflict, which cost the U.S. heavily in both lives and financial resources, is a key part of Bush’s presidency. Trump, in contrast, has been lauded by his supporters for keeping the U.S. out of new wars during his time in office.
The former president’s decision comes shortly after former Vice President Dick Cheney endorsed Kamala Harris. Cheney, known for his role in the Iraq War, strongly condemned Trump, calling him a threat to the republic. Trump fired back, labeling Cheney a “RINO,” or Republican in name only.
This ongoing refusal of neoconservatives to support Trump highlights a deep divide in the Republican Party over foreign policy. Trump’s non-interventionist stance stands in stark contrast to the Bush administration’s legacy of overseas military involvement.
