FIGHTING WORDS

George H.W. Bush Calls Trump a ‘Blowhard’

“I don’t know much about him, but I know he’s a blowhard.”

Former President George H.W. Bush said he was “not too excited” about the prospect of Donald Trump becoming president ahead of last year’s election, a new book reveals. Asked about Trump by historian Mark Updegrove in May 2016, the elder Bush said, “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,” according to CNN. He also said Trump’s “certain ego” was the driving force behind his decision to run for president. The comments, featured in Updegrove’s book The Last Republicans, mark the first time the former president has spoken out about Trump in such harsh terms. His son, former President George W. Bush, offered similar criticism, saying, “This guy doesn't know what it means to be president.” Both father and son had previously said they did not vote for Trump, with the elder Bush opting for Clinton and his son saying he chose “none of the above” on the ballot.