The “cold war” between Donald Trump and former President George W. Bush is heating up as the political world looks toward 2028.
After a quiet retirement, revelations from political insiders suggest that Bush will no longer remain the “silent type.” With his nephew reportedly eyeing a political rise, the 43rd President is preparing to have a “horse in the race” to challenge the current MAGA establishment.
The Battle For The 2028 Baton
As President Donald Trump, almost 80 years old, serves out his second term, he is widely expected to pass the baton to his loyal Vice President JD Vance. Backed by tech billionaire Elon Musk, supported by influential figures like Erika Kirk, and commanding the loyalty of the MAGA base, Vance, who has capitalized on all of his controversies and even embraced some, is currently the frontrunner to clinch the nomination.
However, George W. Bush is not ready to watch Trump hand-pick a successor. Like many traditional Republicans, Bush reportedly wants to avoid a repeat of the “incumbent hand-off” seen with the Biden-Harris administration. Instead, he is eyeing a brutal, competitive primary where a new generation of the Bush family could contest the MAGA grip on the party.
Brewing Tensions And Historical Slights
The animosity between the two families has been boiling for years. George W. Bush famously refused to endorse Trump during his three presidential campaigns, while his daughter, Barbara Bush, stunned the GOP by throwing her weight and famous last name behind Kamala Harris. Even the late Dick Cheney, Bush’s former Vice President, crossed party lines to oppose Trump. Donald Trump and Melania Trump later refused to attend his funeral.
Trump’s fury at the Bushes has often boiled over. In 2021, he reportedly complained: “I have never got so much as a thank-you note from that ungrateful b*****d. I don’t know, maybe he’s too busy with his so-called paintings to write.”
In a final symbolic jab, Trump made the petty decision to move White House portraits of George W. Bush and his late father, George H.W. Bush, to a hidden stairwell to keep them out of public view.
A New Bush Dynasty: Jonathan Bush For Governor
There is widespread speculation that the Bush family will make a spectacular move in 2026. According to The Daily Mail, 65 influential and powerful friends of the family recently gathered at the Walker’s Point compound — known as the “Summer White House” — to pour money into a pot for a new political run.
Controversial tech entrepreneur Jonathan Bush, 56, cousin of “W,” has officially entered the political sphere with the launch of his “Maine for Keeps” campaign to become Maine’s governor in 2026.
A Jonathan Bush victory would be the third state governorship held by the famous political family.
The businessman would be following in the footsteps of his uncles, George W. and Jeb, who governed Texas and Florida, respectively.
Navigating A Controversial Past
For Jonathan Bush to pick up the mantle of the family’s dynasty, he must overcome disturbing allegations about his private life. Court papers from a 2006 custody battle alleged “numerous physical altercations” with his ex-wife, Sarah Selden.
In a recent campaign video, Jonathan addressed the controversy: “The truth of that story is we did have a difficult divorce. Sarah and I did things that we both regret. And we’ve also forgiven one another… we have co-parented well for the last 20 years.”
Despite his flaws, the Bush family appears ready to come out of “exile” to make the 2028 race significantly harder for JD Vance.
The Road To 2028: A Vindicated Bush Official?
As the “cold war” between the two Republican dynasties intensifies, former Bush officials are reportedly feeling a sense of vindication.
They view President Donald Trump’s current foreign policy — specifically his approach to Vladimir Putin and the recent interventions in Venezuela — as a departure from traditional conservative leadership.
One former official told the Daily Mail: “Trump knows there’s no third-term option. Vance has a head start, but it’s not set in stone. There will be a big open field in 2028.”
With a recent Gallup poll showing George W. Bush at a 52% approval rating — ahead of Trump’s 48% — the Bush camp believes there is still a significant appetite for their brand of Republicanism.
After the surprising polling win, the former president might be right.
