Former US President George H.W. Bush has announced that he and his wife would not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday, saying that attending could put him “six feet under”.

According to CEOAfrica’s source, Press TV, the Ninety-two-year-old Bush made the remarks in a recent personal letter to Trump, who had destroyed the candidacy of his son, Jeb Bush, who was once the presumptive Republican Party nominee. 

The former president wrote “Barbara and I are so sorry we can’t be there for your Inauguration on January 20^th. My doctor says if I sit outside in January, it will likely put me six feet under. Same for Barbara. So I guess we’re stuck in Texas.”

* George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara Bush

According to an aide, the elder Bush was hospitalized this week in Houston, Texas, after falling ill.

A spokesman of the Bush family said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that the 41st US president was admitted into intensive care “to address an acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia” and was sedated so doctors could “protect and clear his airway.”

The statement said “President Bush is stable and resting comfortably in the UCU, where he will remain for observation. Additionally, Mrs. Bush was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital this morning as a precaution after experiencing fatigue and coughing.”

Trump wished a “speedy recovery” for both Bush and his wife and thanked the former president for his “wonderful letter!”

Trump repeatedly attacked Bush’s son, Jeb, during the Republican primary, calling him “weak,” “low-energy” and “an embarrassment” to the Bush family.

Jeb Bush was forced to suspend his bid for the White House after losing a bitter fight to Trump.

* Donald Trump (R) and Jeb Bush speak during a Republican primary debate.

The entire Bush family, including Jeb and his father and brother, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, skipped the Republican National Convention in July in Cleveland, where Trump was officially nominated.