Trump praises Bush, puts aside differences

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA » President Donald Trump hailed George H.W. Bush on Saturday as a “truly wonderful man” and announced plans to attend his Washington funeral, setting aside years of animosity with the Bush political dynasty that he toppled in his takeover of the Republican Party.

News of Bush’s death reached Trump during his visit to the Group of 20 summit here, and the 45th president quickly amended his schedule, calling off a planned news conference out of respect for the 41st president and designating Wednesday as a national day of mourning.

Despite deep acrimony between Trump and the Bush family, who represent divergent brands of Republicanism, Trump showered praise on Bush’s legacy as a World War II veteran and lifelong public servant, a resume distinctly divergent from his own.

Trump said he spoke by phone with two of the late president’s sons, former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — who was among the GOP primary candidates Trump vanquished in 2016 — to express his “deepest sympathies.” Trump said they discussed the close bond between the sons and their father.

“President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life,” Trump wrote Saturday morning on Twitter. “Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all!”

Later Saturday, Trump told reporters that he “extended our best wishes” to the Bush family. Seated alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel for a meeting, Trump called the late president “a very fine man.” Trump, who was set to return on Air Force One to Washington by early today, said he plans to then dispatch the presidential plane to Houston to collect Bush’s casket and bring the former president’s body to Washington.

“I met him on a number of occasions,” Trump said. “He was a terrific guy and he’ll be missed. He lived a full life and an exemplary life.”

When a reporter shouted a question about whether he regrets his past criticisms of the Bushes — which included calling the U.S. invasion of Iraq during George W. Bush’s tenure “the single worst decision ever made” and referring to Jeb as “low-energy” during the campaign — Trump did not respond, saying only, “Thank you very much, everybody.”