US election: George Bush backs Donald Trump

George Bush, a former US president, says President Donald Trump has the right to seek recounting of votes cast in the 2020 presidential election.

Trump, the candidate of the Republican Party, was defeated by Joe Biden, a former vice-president and candidate of the Democratic Party in the closely contested election.

However, Trump has refused to accept defeat, alleging fraud in the electoral process, and seeking court intervention.

Reacting to the outcome of the exercise in a statement on Sunday, Bush said he had spoken to all parties and asked that they come together for the future of the country.

“I just talked to the President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. I extended my warm congratulations and thanked him for the patriotic message he delivered last night,” he said.

“I also called Kamala Harris to congratulate her on her historic election to the vice presidency. Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country.

“The President-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can.

“I want to congratulate President Trump and his supporters on a hard-fought campaign. He earned the votes of more than 70 million Americans — an extraordinary political achievement. They have spoken, and their voices will continue to be heard through elected Republicans at every level of government.

“The fact that so many of our fellow citizens participated in this election is a positive sign of the health of our democracy and a reminder to the world of its strength.

“No matter how you voted, your vote counted.

“President Trump has the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, and any unresolved issues will be properly adjudicated. The American people can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear.”

Bush, a Republican who was president from 2001 to 2009, added that the challenges that the US faces will demand the best of Biden.