Trump to attend George H.W. Bush’s funeral
BY MORGAN GSTALTER - 12/01/18 09:09 AM EST 332
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend funeral services for former President George H.W. Bush, who died on Friday at the age of 94, the White House announced.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement Saturday that a state funeral is being arranged with accompanying honors for Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., saying the Trumps plan to attend.
Further details about the funeral arrangements have not yet been released.
Trump is slated to speak with the late commander-in-chief’s son, former President George W. Bush, on Saturday to offer his condolences, the White House said.
The president has also designated Wednesday at a National Day of Mourning, Sanders added.
Trump did not attend the funeral services of former first lady Barbara Bush, who died in April. It is not uncommon for sitting presidents to miss the funeral of a former first lady.
But Trump also clashed with members of the Bush family at various points, including mocking his former 2016 GOP presidential rival Jeb Bush, George H.W. Bush's son, claiming he didn't want to use his last name during the campaign.
George H.W. Bush confirmed to author Mark K. Updegrove in his book "The Last Republicans" that he voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump in 2016, saying he considered Trump to be a "blowhard."
Trump was not invited to attend the funeral services for the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), which brought a host of dignitaries to the National Cathedral in early September. During her eulogy at the funeral, McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain, took several swipes at Trump, who had repeatedly mocked her father.
Trump issued a statement early Saturday remembering George H.W. Bush, praising his "authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country."
The president said the elder Bush "always found a way to set the bar higher," noting his time spent as the captain of the Yale baseball team before going on to become the Navy's youngest aviator during World War II.
George H.W. Bush also served as a congressional representative, ambassador to China, CIA director, vice president and eventually president.
"With sound judgement, common sense, and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our Nation, and the world, to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War. As President, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed. And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction," Trump said.
Former President Obama and his wife Michelle also honored Bush in a statement late Friday, calling him "a patriot and humble servant" with "a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though he’d want all of us to try."
"George H.W. Bush’s life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey," they said.
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