FFormer US president George H W Bush plans to vote for Hillary Clinton in an unprecedented snub of the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, according to a member of the Kennedy family.
Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend, the daughter of the late Robert F Kennedy, posted a picture on her Facebook page in which she is shaking hands with Mr Bush, with the caption: "The President told me he’s voting for Hillary!!”
She confirmed to Politico that the Republican grandee, who served as president from 1989 to 1993 and vice president from 1981 to 1989, would be voting for the Democrat candidate for the White House.
“That’s what he said,” she told the news website.
Mr Bush's spokesman, Jim McGrath, said: "The vote President Bush will cast as a private citizen in some 50 days will be just that: a private vote cast in some 50 days. He is not commenting on the presidential race in the interim."
The fact that Mr Bush Sr has now, apparently, stated that he will vote for Mrs Clinton, raises questions over whether both his sons - the former president and this year's defeated Republican presidential candidate, Jeb Bush - will follow suit.
If Mr Bush Sr's defection is confirmed, it would be a devastating blow to Mr Trump, who has failed to unite the Republican establishment behind him as a result of his divisive rhetoric and regular insults on the campaign trail.
Mr Bush Sr has strongly endorsed every Republican nominee for the last five election cycles.
He backed his long-time political rival Bob Dole in 1996. “I’ll do anything Senator Dole wants me to do — I’ll campaign for him,” Bush said. “My heart lies at this level, the Dole level,” he said at the time.
Both former Bush presidents have campaigned enthusiastically for both Republican candidate since - John McCain and Mitt Romney.
In an apparent reference to the billionaire, Mr Bush Jr said: "There seems to be a lot of name calling but, as our dad once told us, labels are for soup cans.
"I understand these are tough times and people are angry and frustrated. But we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors our anger and frustration. Strength is not bluster and theatrics. The strongest person isn't the loudest one in the room."
During a Republican debate in February, Mr Trump accused George W Bush of not keeping America safe and not doing enough to stop the 9/11 attacks.
In April, Mr Bush Jr's wife Laura hinted that she'd rather see Mrs Clinton president.
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