Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush criticized presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, saying the businessman’s supporters are “going to feel betrayed” when he fails to deliver his campaign promises.
“There isn’t going to be a wall built, and Mexico’s not going to pay for it. And there’s not going to be a ban on Muslims,” Bush said in an MSNBC interview Monday night.
“This is all like an alternative universe that he created. The reality is, that’s not going to happen. And people are going to be deeply frustrated and the divides will grow in our country.”
Bush went on to acknowledge Trump’s ability to control the media, building on his theme that Trump is purposefully trying to deceive his supporters:
“Trump, you know, to his credit was very smart at exploiting these kinds of opportunities,” Bush said. “He’s a master at understanding how the media works — more than anybody I’ve seen in politics.”
“Kudos to him for kind of creating the environment and then manipulating the environment to his effect,” he continued.
Under a Trump presidency, Bush predicted the country “will continue to stagger instead of soar,” adding that, “that’s the heartbreaking part of this — I think people are really going to feel betrayed.”
During the Republican primary, Trump beat out 16 other candidates, including Bush, who suspended his campaign in February following a string of underwhelming primary finishes.
Bush has already said he plans to skip next week’s Republican National Convention, alongside other prominent Republicans including former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and 2008 nominee John McCain and 2012 nominee Mitt Romney.