Trump blasts 'failed candidates' Jeb Bush, Lindsey Graham

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

Both Graham and Bush announced on Friday that they would not vote for Trump in general election or Hillary Clinton, who is likely to win the Democratic nomination. They said Trump and Clinton are unfit for the White House.

In a statement issued on Friday, Trump denounced Graham, boasting about his success in the Republican primary.

"I fully understand why Lindsey Graham cannot support me,” said Trump. “If I got beaten as badly as I beat him, and all the other candidates he endorsed, I would not be able to give my support either.”

Last year, all of the Republican presidential hopefuls, including Bush and Graham, signed a loyalty pledge in which they promised to back the final GOP nominee.

“Remember when the two failed presidential candidates, Lindsey Graham and Jeb Bush, signed a binding PLEDGE? They broke the deal, no honor!” Trump wrote on his Twitter page on Saturday.

Graham: I won't vote for Trump

Lindsey Graham, pro-Israel senator from South Carolina, on Friday announced that he would not vote for Trump.

“It’s hard to believe that in a nation of more than 300 million Americans Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be our choices for president," Graham said.

The senator said he would "absolutely" not support Clinton, who, he said, represents President Barack Obama's "third term."

"I don't think he's a reliable Republican conservative," Graham said, just hours before Bush also declared he would not vote for Trump.

"I don't believe that Donald Trump has the temperament and judgment to be commander in chief."

In response to Graham's remarks, Trump called him a "poor representative and an embarrassment to the great people of South Carolina."

‘Trump won’t put us on a better course’

Bush said on Friday he doesn’t believe Trump or Clinton will “put us on a better course,” adding that he will not vote for either one.

“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.

“Donald Trump has not demonstrated that temperament or strength of character,” he said. “He has not displayed a respect for the Constitution. And, he is not a consistent conservative. These are all reasons why I cannot support his candidacy.”

Trump ruined Bush candidacy

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