Jeb Bush says he hopes a Republican challenges Trump in 2020
Are we about to witness a resurgence of President Trump's brutal Twitter attacks against former Florida Governor Jeb Bush?
Bush, one of Trump's opponents during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, backed the idea of a Republican challenger to Trump in 2020 during an appearance on the Axe Files podcast, CNN reports, saying that members of the party "ought to be given a choice."
The former governor didn't sound optimistic that a primary challenger would be successful, though, noting that Trump has a loyal base and that it's "hard to beat a sitting president." Still, Bush said it's "important" for Republicans to have "a conversation about what it is to be a conservative," adding that "our country needs to have competing ideologies."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The feud between Bush and Trump, of course, was among the most bitter of the 2016 election cycle, and after dropping out of the race, Bush announced he would not vote for Trump in the general election, nor would he vote for Hillary Clinton.
One person who could challenge Trump from the right is Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), and Bush said on the podcast that when he listened to Hogan deliver a recent speech, "I kind of got a sense that maybe this was an opening," per CNN. But even if Hogan doesn't run, Bush may get his wish sooner rather than later, as former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld in February launched an exploratory committee ahead of possibly seeking the Republican nomination, saying that Republicans who support Trump "exhibit all the symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Arizona kicks off swing-state early voting
Speed Read The voting began with less than a month to go before the presidential election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Netanyahu talk ahead of Israeli hit on Iran
Speed Read The pair spoke for the first time since August
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump kept up with Putin, sent Covid tests, book says
Speed Read The revelation comes courtesy of a new book by Bob Woodward
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Liz Cheney campaigns with Harris in Wisconsin
Speed Read The pair does not agree on much politically, but they share an anti-Trump stance
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Harris visit storm-hit North Carolina, Georgia
Speed Read President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took separate tours of the south to view the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jack Smith filing details Jan. 6 case against Trump
Speed Read The special counsel's newly unsealed brief argues Trump is not immune from prosecution and gives new details on his efforts to overturn the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published