George W. Bush: ‘I just don’t like’ Cruz

Former President George W. Bush is not a fan of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a new report says.

“I just don’t like the guy,” he told approximately a hundred donors during a fundraiser in Denver on Monday, according to Politico, which reported that more than half-a-dozen listeners confirmed the criticism directed toward the Texas lawmaker.

{mosads}George W. Bush reportedly views Cruz as the most serious threat facing his brother, former Gov. Jeb Bush (R-Fla.), during the GOP’s 2016 presidential primary.

Politico added that the elder Bush believes Cruz’s alliance with GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump is self-serving.

“[George W. Bush] said he found it ‘opportunistic’ that Cruz was sucking up to Trump and just expecting all of his support to come to him in the end,” one audience member told the news publication.

“He said he thought Cruz was going to be a pretty formidable candidate against Jeb, especially in Texas and across the South,” another listener added.

“[George W. Bush] sort of looks at this like Cruz is doing it all for his own personal gain, and that’s juxtaposed against a family that’s been all about public service and doing it for the right reasons,” a third potential donor added.

“He’s frustrated to have watched Cruz basically hijack the Republican Party of Texas and the Republican Party in Washington.”

George W. Bush’s office rejected Politico’s account in a statement issued Monday evening following the fundraiser.

“The first words out of President Bush’s mouth last night were that Jeb is going to earn the nomination, win the election and be a great president,” said Freddy Ford, the former commander in chief’s spokesman.

“He does not view Sen. Cruz as Gov. Bush’s most serious rival,” he added.

Cruz, meanwhile, offered only praise when informed about the former president’s alleged remarks concerning him.

“I have great respect for George W. Bush, and was proud to work on his 2000 campaign and in his administration,” he said.

“It’s no surprise that President Bush is supporting his brother and attacking the candidates he believes pose a threat to his campaign,” Cruz continued. “I have no intention of reciprocating.

“I met my wife Heidi while working on his campaign, and so I will always be grateful to him” added Cruz, who served as a domestic policy adviser for George W. Bush.

Cruz has struck a cordial tone with Trump during the 2016 election cycle thus far and has even refrained from criticizing the controversial billionaire.

Jeb Bush, in contrast, has repeatedly feuded with the Republican front-runner over issues including immigration, minorities and George W. Bush’s handling of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.