George W. Bush Reacts to Donald Trump Winning Election

He offered his congratulations for “their historic achievements” on Tuesday evening, shortly after Trump was projected as the winner in Wisconsin, which clinched his victory.

“Congratulations @realDonaldTrump and @JDVicePresident on your election as the 47th President and Vice President of the United States of America. Laura and I are also happy for your families,” he wrote on Twitter.

Bush, who was notably absent from this summer’s Republican National Convention, declined to endorse either Trump or Harris ahead of Tuesday’s election, despite the vice president-elect’s running mate, Kamala Harris, earning the endorsement of Cheney, Bush’s own running mate during the 2000 presidential election.

Cheney’s daughter Liz Cheney also called on Bush to endorse Harris, but his own daughter, Barbara Bush, canvassed for Harris in Pennsylvania last month.

In a statement emailed to The Washington Examiner later in the day on Tuesday, Bush offered congratulations to all of Tuesday’s winners, including Harris.

“The American people have spoken. I congratulate President Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on their election as the 47th President and Vice President of the United States of America,” he said in the statement, which was released before 11 a.m. ET.

Bush has stayed relatively quiet over the last four years, since leaving the White House to become a painter in Texas.

His last book, Portraits of Courage, featured portraits he painted of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

“Laura and I thank election officials, poll workers, and volunteers for conducting a free and fair election,” he continued. “We join our fellow Americans in praying for the success of our new leaders in government at all levels. The election also showed the strength of our Republic in the participation of tens of millions of voters in this election. May God continue to bless our great country,” his statement concluded.