Trump Snubbed By Jeb Bush But Backed By Cheney

The ex-Florida governor says he would vote for neither his party's presumptive nominee, nor likely rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton

By Sky News US Team

Failed Republican White House candidate Jeb Bush is the latest conservative figure to say he will not support Donald Trump.

He said in a Facebook post on Friday that his former rival "has not demonstrated that temperament or strength of character (worthy of the presidency).

"He has not displayed a respect for the Constitution. And, he is not a consistent conservative."

The former Florida governor said he would vote for neither his party's presumptive nominee, nor the likely rival in November's White House election, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Mr Bush was asked in recent days whether he might be Mr Trump's running mate, and his adviser's emailed reply was: "Hahahahahahahahaha."

His snub comes two days after his older brother, former US President George W Bush, and their father, former US President George H W Bush, said they would not endorse Mr Trump.

The Bushes' cold shoulder may be seen as personal since Mr Trump tormented Jeb Bush during his White House run, labelling him "low energy" and "an embarrassment to his family".

However, Mr Trump picked up support on Friday from the younger ex-President Bush's former deputy, Dick Cheney.

The list of opponents to the outsider candidate's hostile takeover of the Republican party has been growing.

Mitt Romney, who won the nomination in 2012, and Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham are also refusing to support Mr Trump.

But the real estate baron's former rival, Rick Perry - who once called him a "cancer on conservatism" - said he would be open to being his running mate.

Republican mega-donor and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is also backing Mr Trump, saying he has clinched the nomination “fair and square".

House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said he would meet Mr Trump next Thursday, a day after telling media he is "just not ready" to endorse Mr Trump.

Republican party chairman Reince Priebus said on Friday he will support Mr Trump, even if he disagrees with ideas like temporarily banning Muslims from entering the US.

US President Barack Obama smiled on Friday when asked during a White House briefing about the disarray among his Republican antagonists.

In his first remarks about Mr Trump's presumptive nominee status, Mr Obama had a message for the media: "This is not entertainment.

"This is not a reality show."