George W Bush reportedly described Donald Trump’s inauguration as “some weird s***”, it has emerged.

The former President attended the swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill on 20 January along with Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter though his father George H W Bush was unable to attend due to poor health.

But the 70-year-old was reportedly unimpressed by the show and described Mr Trump’s short, seemingly angry speech as “some weird s***” according to three people present, New York Magazine reported.

Bush on Trump era: I don't like the racism and name-calling

During the speech Mr Trump referenced “American carnage” and “enriching foreign industry at the expense of American industry” and repeated his pledge to “make America great again”.

The Republican has kept a relatively low profile since leaving the White House in 2009 but was a vocal critic of Mr Trump during the election campaign – even saying he would vote for Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton after his younger brother Jeb Bush was defeated in the primaries.

Despite this, Mr Bush and his wife Laura decided to attend the inauguration. In a statement, his office said this was because he was “pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power” which they said was “a hallmark of American democracy”.

Mr Bush inadvertently became a meme during the inauguration after he struggled to get a poncho on when it began to rain.

This is not the first controversy to mar Mr Trump’s inauguration. The President took exception to media reports suggesting the crowds at his inauguration were noticeably thinner further back along the Mall compared with Mr Obama’s inauguration in 2009.

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