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How George W Bush is said to have summed up Donald Trump's inauguration

George W Bush attends the inauguration of Donald Trump - Reuters
George W Bush attends the inauguration of Donald Trump - Reuters

George W Bush reportedly gave a very succinct - and colourful - verdict on Donald Trump's inauguration two months ago.

The former president didn't look impressed as Mr Trump officially took office on January 20 - though it was thought that was more as a result of a battle with a poncho amid inclement weather.

Nor did Mr Bush make any official statements following the day's events, during which Mr Trump vowed in a dark speech to end "American carnage".

Donald Trumps inauguration in pictures

Now, however, New York Magazine has reported what Mr Bush really thought of the ceremony and the incoming president's address.

"That was some weird s---," Mr Bush said, according the magazine, which cited three people present.

A spokesman for Bush declined to comment, the magazine said.

During the inauguration, Mr Bush sat near Bill and Hillary Clinton as well as Barack and Michelle Obama.

Ahead of the event, Mr Bush's office said the couple was “pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power - a hallmark of American democracy - and swearing-in of President Trump and Vice President Pence.”

Although he did not support Mr Trump  during last year's presidential campaign, Mr Bush congratulated Mr Trump after his victory.

Read more | Trump and inauguration

Since the inauguration, he hasn't been as outspoken as Mr Obama, however he has levelled some tacit criticism of the new president.

When asked about the reports about Mr Trump's links to Russia, Mr Bush told NBC last month: “I think we all need answers.”

He also defended the media, a frequent target of attacks from Mr Trump, saying: “I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy. We need the media to hold people like me to account."

During the inauguration, he provoked laughter on social media as he struggled to protect himself from the elements with a plastic poncho.

He later laughed about the incident on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

"Have you put a poncho on? Is that the first time?" Ellen asked.

"Yeah. It looks like it!" Bush joked.

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