While Bush endorsed the Republican Party 's 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney , he declined to endorse the 2016 Republican nominee Donald Trump and he did not attend the 2016 Republican National Convention , which formally nominated Trump . On the eve of Trump 's nomination , it was reported that Bush had privately expressed concern about the current direction of the Republican Party and told a group of his former aides and advisors , " I 'm worried that I will be the last Republican president . " Bush and his wife Laura did not vote for Trump in the 2016 presidential election according to a spokesperson for the Bush family , instead choosing to leave their presidential ballots blank . After the election , Bush , his father , and his brother Jeb called Trump on the phone to congratulate him on his victory . Both he and Laura attended Trump 's inauguration , and images of Bush struggling to put on a rain poncho during the ceremony became an internet meme . While leaving the event , Bush allegedly described the ceremony as " some weird shit "
2016 Republican National Convention
2016 Republican National Convention
George W. Bush