News / Politics

Trump on Bush’s endorsement: 'Who the hell cares?'

Saturday, 11 June 2016 8:27 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 11 June 2016 9:04 PM ]

Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Tampa Convention Center on June 11, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (AFP photo)

Donald Trump, the US Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, has slammed “failed” White House candidate Jeb Bush for refusing to support his campaign.

Speaking at a rally in Tampa, Florida, Trump ridiculed the former Florida governor’s unsuccessful presidential attempt.

Trump said Bush’s low popularity numbers among Republican voters throughout the contest placed him at the edge of the stage at GOP debates. “I was center stage at every debate.”

“You know the way guys were falling off the ends? I said ‘Jeb, you’re not gonna be here much longer, you’re pretty far down there Jeb-ah. You’re not going to be here much longer, Jeb. You gotta get tougher, Jeb.’ ”

“I don’t think he’s going to endorse me, do you folks?” Trump asked his supporters, before dismissively adding, “Who the hell cares?”

Bush has said that he would not vote for Trump in general election or Hillary Clinton in November, adding both Trump and Clinton are unfit for the White House.

“In November, I will not vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, but I will support principled conservatives at the state and federal levels, just as I have done my entire life,” Bush wrote on his Facebook page in May.

Former Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush (AFP photo)

Trump has been credited to ruin the candidacy of onetime party favorite Bush, brother and son to two former US presidents.

The billionaire businessman had repeatedly attacked Bush throughout his campaign for the Republican nomination, calling him "weak," "low-energy" and "an embarrassment" to the Bush family.

Trump also targeted Jeb’s brother, George W. Bush, over Iraq war and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

In a heated exchange between Jeb and Trump during the ninth Republican presidential debate on February 13, the New York billionaire blamed George W. Bush for the collapse of the World Trade Center and the death of 3,000 Americans.

“The World Trade Center came down during your brother’s reign, remember that,” Trump said.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk