Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Monday derided Jeb Bush ahead of a campaign appearance in South Carolina at which the former Florida governor will appear with his brother, former President George W. Bush. The billionaire businessman took to Twitter to say it was "funny" that Bush previously distanced himself from his family name but is now in favor of family support.
"Funny that Jeb(!) didn't want help from his family in his failed campaign and didn't even want to use his last name.Then mommy, now brother!" Trump tweeted.
Funny that Jeb(!) didn't want help from his family in his failed campaign and didn't even want to use his last name.Then mommy, now brother!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2016
Bush, who has struggled with whether or not his family name is an advantage during the 2016 election cycle because of George W. Bush's low popularity levels as he left office in 2009, has decided to bring the former president on the campaign trail in South Carolina ahead of the Palmetto state's primary this week. The 43rd president always enjoyed high popularity in South Carolina.
"President Bush has been incredibly supportive of his brother's campaign and Governor Bush is excited to have him out on the trail," said Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell, according to Reuters.
George W. Bush has spoken at several big dollar private fundraisers in support of Jeb Bush's candidacy. He also appears in a recent radio ad to boost the 2016 hopeful, according to The Hill. "We need a strong leader with experience, ideas and resolve. There's no doubt in my mind that Jeb Bush will be a great commander-in-chief for our military," the former president says in the ad.
In recent polling, Trump leads in South Carolina and Bush is in fifth place in the six-person Republican field. In an average of recent polls compiled by RealClear Politics, Trump has 37 percent support with Ted Cruz as in second with 17 percent support. Bush, who is only ahead of Ben Carson, has 10 percent support.
