Rumors are circulating once again in Washington that the Bush political dynasty is quietly preparing a comeback, aiming to reclaim control of the Republican Party from President Donald Trump once he eventually leaves office. According to a recent report, members of the Bush family and their network of operatives are positioning themselves to revive the establishment brand of Republicanism that voters overwhelmingly rejected in favor of Trump’s America First movement.
The Daily Mail reported that a “shadow Republican Party” connected to the Bush family is “lying in wait” to reassert itself after years of political exile. These operatives, bundlers, and longtime strategists reportedly believe the party will be vulnerable to takeover the moment Trump is no longer on the ballot.
Sources close to the Bush network told the outlet that former President George W. Bush has no plan to openly criticize Trump. But behind the scenes, they say, he may be willing to help shape what they hope will be a post-Trump future. The reported effort suggests the establishment wing of the GOP believes the populist realignment that began in 2016 can be reversed.
A former Bush official reportedly told the outlet that Trump “knows that there’s no third term option,” framing the end of Trump’s presidency as an opening for a return to pre-Trump Republicanism. But they also acknowledged that Vice President JD Vance, Trump’s chosen successor, already has “a head start” for the 2028 nomination.
The official predicted that the GOP field in 2028 would be “wide open,” a suggestion that Trump’s enduring influence may weaken as new contenders emerge. Establishment Republicans appear to be banking on Vance failing to maintain the movement or Trump stepping aside entirely.
Michael Steele, the former Republican National Committee chair who has long opposed Trump and sided with Democrats on many issues, reportedly urged Bush to “get involved” to pull the party back toward the establishment. Steele claimed Bush “has a voice that would resonate with a lot more Americans,” reflecting the view that the country wants a return to the pre-Trump status quo.
Steele’s remarks underscore what many conservatives see as the real goal. It is not about unity or stability. It is about restoring the old guard that spent decades losing elections, empowering global institutions, and entangling the nation in foreign wars that cost thousands of American lives.
The report also resurfaced past comments from Bush aimed at undermining Trump. In a 2021 CBS interview, Bush criticized the president for lacking what he called “humility.” Bush used similar rhetoric throughout Trump’s first term, often echoing Democrat talking points about norms and leadership tone.
Bush also blasted Trump’s America First foreign policy as “isolationist” and “dangerous for the sake of peace,” despite presiding over the destabilizing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. More than 4,500 American service members died in Iraq under Bush’s leadership, a fact that the America First movement frequently cites when contrasting the two visions of Republican foreign policy.
Trump’s supporters say Bush’s criticism reveals the broader divide between the establishment and the post-2016 GOP. One side favors endless war, open borders, and corporate trade deals. The other prioritizes American workers, strong borders, and peace through strength.
The fact that the Bush family is reportedly plotting a political comeback is seen by many conservatives as proof that the America First movement remains a threat to the old power structures. These structures flourished for decades before Trump but have struggled to remain relevant as the party’s base shifted dramatically.
The idea of a “Bush Exile” highlights the sharp decline of a family once seen as untouchable in Republican politics. Their influence collapsed almost overnight when Trump defeated Jeb Bush in the 2016 primaries and dismantled the policies that defined the Bush era.
Trump’s ongoing popularity has effectively kept the Bush brand sidelined. The former president remains the dominant force within the GOP, with polling consistently showing that Republican voters overwhelmingly prefer the America First direction over establishment nostalgia.
The report suggests that the Bush network hopes the 2028 cycle will be its opportunity to reemerge. But with JD Vance already solidifying his credentials and maintaining strong support among Trump voters, establishment Republicans face an uphill battle if they intend to challenge the movement.
Conservative voters largely view the Bush family’s reemergence as a threat. Many see it as an attempt to reverse the political revolution that put American workers ahead of globalist priorities. They argue that any effort to retake the GOP from Trump is really an effort to retake it from the voters.
The Bush family’s silence after the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney raised additional questions. Neither Trump nor Vance attended Cheney’s funeral, highlighting the widening gap between the establishment wing and the current leadership of the Republican Party.
The report paints a clear picture of a political dynasty waiting for the right moment to reinsert itself. But it also highlights the reality that the party has moved on. The policies, worldview, and legacy of the Bush era have little support among the current Republican base.
