It's official: Former GOP presidential hopeful Jeb Bush has joined the growing ranks of high-profile Republicans who will not be supporting Donald Trump in his run for the White House.
"The American presidency is an office that goes beyond just politics," Bush said in a statement posted to his Facebook page Friday. "It requires some of its occupants great fortitude and humility and the temperament and strong character to deal with unexpected challenges that will inevitably impact our nation in the next four years. Donald Trump has not demonstrated that temperament or strength of character."
Further, Trump "has not displayed a respect for the Constitution. And, he is not a consistent conservative," Bush said. "These are all reasons why I cannot support his candidacy."
He added, however, that he could not vote for Hillary Clinton either, if she clinches the Democratic nomination.
"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," he said. "For Republicans, there is no greater priority than ensuring we keep control of both chambers of Congress. I look forward to working hard for great conservatives in the Senate and House in the coming months."
Bush, the son of a former president and the brother of another, seemed like a natural choice for the GOP nomination. He came out as a front-runner early on in the election cycle but he failed to gain momentum and became the butt of many of Trump's jokes. Plagued by Trump's characterization that he was "low energy," he suspended his campaign in February.
Prior to his exit, Bush said in a CNN interview that he would support the eventual Republican presidential nominee "no matter who he or she is."
"I've done it my whole entire life," he said. "I've signed a pledge to do it. I'll do it."
Bush is the latest high-profile Republican to deny Trump support, joining the ranks of former GOP presidential hopefuls Sen. Lindsey Graham and Mitt Romney. On Thursday, House Speaker Paul Ryan said he was not ready to throw his support behind the business mogul.
Trump has shot back at critics, calling Graham an "embarrassment" in a scathing statement released Friday.
"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," he said.
Tongue-in-cheek, he briefly addressed the controversy during a campaign rally Friday in Omaha, Nebraska.
"I won't talk about Jeb Bush," he said. "I will not say he's low energy. I will not say it. … And I won't talk about Lindsey Graham, who had like 1 point. … He leaves a disgrace. He can't represent the people of South Carolina well."
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