George W Bush congratulates 'good man' Biden on beating Trump

‘No matter how you voted, your vote counted,' former Republican president says

George W Bush has given a statement extending his “warmest congratulations” to president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris.

A statement released on Sunday said the former Republican president had “just talked to the president-elect of the United States” and thanked him “for the patriotic message he delivered last night”.

"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,” Mr Bush said.

“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.”

Mr Bush also congratulated Mr Trump and his supporters “on a hard-fought campaign” and called his attainment of over 70 million votes “an extraordinary political achievement”.

“They have spoken, and their voices will continue to be heard through elected Republicans at every level of government," he said.

Mr Bush went on to speak of the importance of the “health” of democracy across the nation and said the high turnout on 3 November spoke to its “strength”.

“No matter how you voted, your vote counted,” the statement read.

He added: “President Trump has the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, and any unresolved issues will be properly adjudicated.”  

“We urge all Americans to join us in wishing our next president and vice president well as they prepare to take up their important duties,” he concluded.

The statement came after Mr Bush refused to say if he voted for Mr Trump as he insisted he was “retired from presidential politics”.

He famously selected “none of the above” on election day in 2016 when Mr Trump battled with Hillary Clinton for the White House.