Donald Trump’s campaign rolled out their “Bush Alumni Coalition” Monday, featuring prominent players from the administrations of George H.W. Bush and former President George W. Bush.
The announcement comes after a weekend of favorable coverage for George W. Bush and reports that George H.W. Bush is planning to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton.
The coalition, which was announced only hours before Trump was supposed to take the stage for the first presidential debate, features the likes of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer and former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.
Overall, 52 former members of the administrations signed a letter announcing their support for Trump, who they back due to the need for “bold leadership.” They also cite national security, the economy and the Supreme Court as top reasons for throwing their support to the GOP nominee.
“Americans want to trust our leaders again, to know that they are fighting for everyday Americans by creating jobs, growing our economy, defending our nation from terrorism and respecting the voters enough to be straightforward and honest with them,” said former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. “Donald Trump and Mike Pence will put America first, and make our country great again.”
The news comes after Kathleen Hartington Kennedy, the former Maryland lieutenant governor and daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, revealed on Facebook that the 41st president told her he will vote for Clinton. A spokesman for the former president denied the report, insisting he did not reveal who he will vote for.
Thus far, the the former presidents and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush have refused to back Trump’s bid for the White House.
Instead, the three have stayed largely on the sidelines since Jeb Bush dropped his presidential bid following the South Carolina primary, though the 43rd president has been out campaigning and fundraising for GOP senators up for re-election, such as Ohio’s Rob Portman and New Hampshire’s Kelly Ayotte.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said Monday that he is still hopeful that the former presidents will come around and support Trump’s bid.
