[424][425] On the eve of Trump's nomination, it was reported that Bush had privately expressed concern about the current direction of the Republican Party, telling a group of his former aides and advisors that "I'm worried that I will be the last Republican president."[426][427] According to a spokesperson for the Bush family, he did not vote for Trump in the general election, instead choosing to leave his presidential ballot blank.[428]
After the 2016 elections, Bush, his father, and his brother Jeb called Trump on the phone to congratulate him on his victory.[429] Both he and Laura attended Trump's inauguration. Images of Bush struggling to put on a rain poncho during the ceremony became an internet meme.[430] While leaving the event, Bush allegedly described the ceremony, and Trump's inaugural address in particular, as "some weird shit".[431]
In February 2017, Bush released a book of his own portraits of veterans called Portraits of Courage.[432] In August, following the white nationalist Unite the Right rally, Bush and his father released a joint statement condemning the violence and ideologies present there.