Politics - News Analysis

Trump Just Announced He WILL Attend The Funeral Of Former Pres. George H. W. Bush

Donald Trump has announced that he will attend the midweek funeral of former President George H.W. Bush.

“A state funeral is being arranged with all of the accompanying support and honors,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement, through media pool reports. “The President will designate Wednesday, December 5th as a National Day of Mourning. He and the First Lady will attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.”

Trump’s potential presence at the service had been an open question since news of the 41st president’s passing broke overnight Saturday. Most or all of the four living former presidents are expected to attend, each of whom Trump has had frosty relations, to varying degrees.

On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump regularly chided former President George W. Bush, a son of the late president being honored on Wednesday, over the Iraq War. He also defeated another son of the late president, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, for the 2016 GOP nomination, often hurling personal taunts and barbs.

And Trump’s former opponent, former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, may attend as the wife of former President Bill Clinton.

George H.W. Bush confirmed to author Mark K. Updegrove in his book “The Last Republicans” that he voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump in 2016, saying he considered Trump to be a “blowhard.”

Trump was not invited to attend the funeral services for the late Sen. John McCain, which brought a host of dignitaries to the National Cathedral in early September. During her eulogy at the funeral, McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain, took several swipes at Trump, who had repeatedly mocked her father.

Trump’s decision to attend the funeral comes hours after offering a statement of praise for the late president.

“Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service,” Trump said in a statement released early Saturday by the White House.

Trump has also cancelled his scheduled press conference for today, tweeting that he cancelled the presser out of respect for Bush.

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