President Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, visited with members of the Bush family following the passing of former President George H.W. Bush at Blair House—the president’s guest house—on Tuesday, Dec. 4.
Photos showed former President George W. Bush kissing the cheek of Melania as the couples met. Bush also shook hands with Trump. Former first lady Laura Bush also hugged the current first lady.
“Looking forward to being with the wonderful Bush family at Blair House today. The former First Lady will be coming over to the White House this morning to be given a tour of the Christmas decorations by Melania. The elegance & precision of the last two days have been remarkable!” Trump tweeted a day before.
They met following the death of former President George H.W. Bush, who passed away over the weekend.
Laura Bush, meanwhile, posted a group photo after the visit and said it was a “sweet visit during this somber week.”
“Thanks to Mrs. Trump for inviting our family to the White House to see the Christmas decorations and our old friends, the residence staff,” she said on Instagram.
Former President George W. Bush is slated to give a eulogy during his father’s funeral service on Dec. 5.
A report from Politico said the Bush family is going to avoid making critical statements against Trump.
“If anybody at anytime knew anything about the 41st president of the United States, they would completely and totally understand that he would welcome the current occupant 100 percent,” said an aide in the office of the former President Bush told Politico. “This is the way the country says goodbye to presidents.”
A close friend added that the Bushes are “unbelievably respectful of the office of the president” and the funeral “is not a political event.”
“This will be about the celebration of the noble public service that George H.W. Bush gave. It’s not going to be about anybody else. I don’t think it’s going to be about Trump,” said another Bush White House staffer in the report.
President Trump, meanwhile, ordered the closure of federal offices on Dec. 5 for a day of mourning.
“President George H.W. Bush led a life that exemplified what is truly great about America. As with so many of his generation, the Greatest Generation, President Bush worked selflessly throughout his long life to bring about a world of justice and lasting peace. With his passing, we mark one of the last pages of a defining chapter in American history,” he wrote in a statement to Congress.
“Fearless, courageous, adventurous, and unyielding, through the highs and lows of the twentieth century and into the next millennium, President Bush served his nation, creating an example that will inspire generations for decades to come.”
Former Republican Sen. Bob Dole was seen being helped from his wheelchair to salute Bush, as seen in a video above.
Video footage showed an aide lifting him from behind and propping him up. Both men had served in World War II.
From The Epoch Times
