Donald Trump, the GOP’s presumptive nominee, said Sunday that he can see why former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) wouldn’t vote for him after the way he treated the failed White House contender on the trail.
Trump’s sweeping win in the Indiana primary last week paved his way to the nomination, fracturing the party between those who had vowed to never support him and those who said they would back the party’s nominee. Among those who vowed not to support him were Bush and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
Trump told ABC News’ “This Week” host George Stephanopoulos he can understand Bush’s hesitation, given the way he treated him.
“Well, I understand Jeb Bush. I was rough with Jeb Bush. And I think if I was Jeb Bush, I wouldn’t vote for me either, if you want to know the truth, George,” Trump said. “But, you know, they should do that. They’re Republicans.”
Trump spent much of his time at the beginning of the campaign season bashing and berating Bush, calling the former governor “low energy” among other names. Outside of a few tense moments at the Republican debates, Bush typically avoiding hitting back.
