Former President George H. W. Bush has been admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering from pneumonia. His wife Barbara was also admitted to the hospital on Wednesday.
At first Bush's spokesman Jim McGrath announced on Wednesday that the former president was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital for shortness of breath Saturday. A few hours later McGrath said that Bush was taken to the ICU for "an acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia."
His wife Barbara Bush was also admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. Their spokesman said she was being treated for bronchitis.
This means they will likely have to skip President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration tomorrow.
But even from the hospital Bush sent this letter to Trump saying, "My doctor says if I sit outside in January, it likely will put me six feet under. Same for Barbara. So I guess we're stuck in Texas."
Trump wished them well with a tweet.
Looking forward to a speedy recovery for George and Barbara Bush, both hospitalized. Thank you for your wonderful letter!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2017
Former President Bill Clinton also sent well wishes on Twitter.
41 and Barbara—thinking about you both and sending wishes for a speedy recovery. Love, 42.
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) January 18, 2017
President Barack Obama said the White House had been in touch with the Bush family during his final news conference yesterday.