¶ Overview
According to court records from 2006, Jonathan Bush admitted to repeated acts of physical violence against his first wife during their marriage, resulting in court intervention during their divorce. Bush’s ex-wife alleged that he “struck her on numerous occasions once causing a black eye and has thrown hard objects at her.”
During his 2026 gubernatorial campaign, Bush repeatedly minimized his domestic violence history in on-air interviews, recasting documented abuse as a “tough divorce” and emphasizing his ex-wife’s expressed support. When confronted directly, Bush deflected accountability by attributing the allegations to an activist investor campaign and “cancel culture,” while declining to substantively address the violence itself.
¶ Jonathan Bush Admitted To Repeated Domestic Violence Against His First Wife And Faced Court Intervention During Their Divorce
¶ During Divorce Proceedings In 2006, Jonathan Bush Admitted To Domestic Violence Against His First Wife, Sarah Selden Bush, Who Alleged Bush “Struck Her On Numerous Occasions Causing A Black Eye”
¶ Divorce Court Documents Revealed Jonathan Bush “Admitted That He Has Had Numerous Physical Altercations” With Sarah Selden Bush
HEADLINE: “George W. Bush's Cousin Admits To Violently Attacking His First Wife By ‘Repeatedly Slamming His Closed Fist Into Her Sternum Just Inches From Their Baby’” [Daily Mail, 5/26/18]
According To 2006 Court Documents, Jonathan Bush Admitted To Repeated Physical Violence Against His First Wife, Sarah Selden During Divorce Proceedings. According to the Daily Mail, “America's Bush political dynasty was plunged into scandal last night after one of its leading figures admitted violently attacking his first wife. Court documents obtained by The Mail on Sunday reveal that Jonathan Bush, nephew of former President George H. W. Bush and cousin of former President George W. Bush, confessed to ‘numerous physical altercations’ with former wife Sarah Seldon including ‘repeatedly slamming his closed fist into her sternum [breastbone]… just inches from their baby’. The details of Bush’s domestic abuse were filed with the Massachusetts family court during a 2006 custody battle over the couple’s five children. The former Mrs Bush alleged that Mr Bush had ‘struck her on numerous occasions, once causing a black eye’. A second submission claims that Bush’s behaviour had become ‘more and more aggressive and hostile’. It says that he had ‘screamed at her, directly into her face, calling her a ‘whore’… while pushing her into the wall and repeatedly slamming his closed fist into her sternum, his hand landing just inches from their baby who was crying. The wife testified that she was very afraid for her own safety and that of the child in her arms.’ It adds that Mr Bush had acknowledged ‘that such an incident took place.’” [Daily Mail, 5/26/18]
- Court Documents Sought Jonathan Bush’s Removal From The Marital Home During Divorce Proceedings. According to the Daily Mail, “The documents also state that ‘the wife filed an emergency motion to have the husband vacated from the marital home’, and that ‘both the wife and the husband have been involved in intimate relationships with significant others outside of the marriage’. Since the case was heard, Bush, founder and CEO of IT health care firm Athenahealth, has married and divorced for a second time.” [Daily Mail, 5/26/18]
¶ Sarah Selden Bush Alleged Jonathan Bush “Struck Her On Numerous Occasions Once Causing A Black Eye And Has Thrown Hard Objects At Her Twice Both Times”
Court Documents: Sarah Selden Bush Alleged Jonathan Bush “Struck Her On Numerous Occasions Once Causing A Black Eye And Has Thrown Hard Objects At Her Twice Both Times” And Reiterated That Jonathan Bush “Admitted That He Has Had Numerous Physical Altercations” With Her. According to the Motion for Appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem in Bush, Sarah S vs. Bush, Jonathan J filed in the Middlesex Probate & Family Court, “Further the Mother has alleged that the Father has struck her on numerous occasions once causing a black eye and has thrown hard objects at her twice both times causing a hole in the wall behind where she was standing At his deposition on January 9 2006 the Husband admitted that he has had numerous physical altercations with the Mother once causing a black eye and that on two occasions he has thrown objects (a portable phone and a saltshaker) in her general direction causing a hole in the wall on both occasions”
[Access Massachusetts Court Cases, Motion For Appointment Of A Guardian Ad Litem, Bush, Sarah S vs. Bush, Jonathan J – MI05D1691DV1, Middlesex Probate and Family Court, Filed 1/12/06]
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In November 2005, Jonathan Bush “Assaulted His First Wife” While She Held Their 1 Year-Old Baby, Calling Her Slurs And “Pushing Her Into A Wall And ‘Repeatedly Slamming His Closed Fist Into Her Sternum”
Court Documents: In November 2005, Jonathan Bush “Assaulted His First Wife In A Hallway While She Held Their 1-Year-Old Son In Her Arms” And “Screamed” Into Her Face, Calling Her Slurs While “Pushing Her Into A Wall And ‘Repeatedly Slamming His Closed Fist Into Her Sternum.” According to Bangor Daily News, “The most graphic descriptions of what happened at the ex-couple’s home in the Boston suburb of Belmont revolve around a Wednesday in November 2005, according to records from Bush’s divorce case that a BDN reporter viewed at a Massachusetts courthouse. The Daily Mail first covered the details in 2018. After their older children left for school, Bush assaulted his first wife in a hallway while she held their 1-year-old son in her arms, according to court documents that also say she filed for divorce a few months before the November incident. Bush ‘screamed’ into her face, calling her a ‘whore’ and ‘disgusting person’ while pushing her into a wall and ‘repeatedly slamming his closed fist into her sternum,’ with his hand landing ‘just inches’ from their baby.” [Bangor Daily News, 10/20/25]
¶ Jonathan Bush Downplayed And Reframed His History Of Domestic Violence During His Gubernatorial Campaign
¶ Jonathan Bush Downplayed His History Of Domestic Violence In A Tense On-Air Exchange In Which The Host Confronted Bush Over The Allegations Involving His Ex-Wife
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Jonathan Bush Downplayed His Domestic Violence History During A Tense On-Air Exchange And Emphasized His Ex-Wife’s Support For His Gubernatorial Campaign
January 2026: Jonathan Bush Downplayed His Domestic Violence History From His Ex-Wife During A Tense On-Air Exchange, Recasting The Documented Violence As A “Tough” Divorce, And Pivoted To Her Support For His Gubernatorial Campaign. According to Bush’s interview with The Ray Richardson Show, “HOST: The other thing that people bring up in the political circles is the stuff that went down with your ex. And I think it's really important. I wasn't going to ask this because I just heard this scuttle. […] Saw the CNBC article. And I think it's a topic that as a father of a daughter who's 13 and and a man and you who is expressed remorse. It's something the Maine people need to hear from you about directly and to set straight so I'll lay it out as as as fairly as I think it is. It says here that this UK based news outlet obtained a 2006 court document from a custody battle chronicling allegations from Bush's now ex-wife, Sarah Selden, that he struck her on numerous occasions, including hitting his closed fist into her sternum and once causing her a black eye. And then and then you had a statement. ‘I take complete responsibility for all of these regrettable incidents involving my dear former wife. I have worked very hard since then to demonstrate my remorse. And today, Sarah and I have a strong co-parenting relationship. I accept responsibility for my conduct and apologize to everyone involved.’ And then she had a statement saying that you guys have a ‘strong co-parenting relationship and that you're one of wonderful person and father. BUSH: And she supports the Bush campaign, there you go. HOST: No, but if you're going to be governor and be speaking to the young women, it's something that that and if you're expressing remorse, then I think people have a right to understand it. BUSH: Sure, look, I mean, my sense is there's one or two Mainers that have had a tough divorce. My sense is there's been one or two Mainers that have had the neighbors describe things that are different than what they experienced. And, you know, I'm glad that we recovered from that divorce so well and have, you know, five incredible adult kids together. And I'm thrilled that she supports this campaign. She comes to Maine as well and knows about Maine, loves Maine. And I'm glad she's on board.” [Jonathan Bush Interview – The Ray Richardson Show, 1/9/26] (AUDIO)
- October 2025: Bush’s Campaign Characterized His Divorce As “Painful” While His Current Wife Said She Would Never Marry A “Man Who Mistreats Women.” According to Bangor Daily News, “The Bush campaign sent the Bangor Daily News statements Friday from Jonathan Bush and his current wife, Fay Rotenberg, that reiterated how Bush and his first wife went through ‘a painful divorce’ but have since ‘enjoyed a fruitful co-parenting relationship and a friendship.’ Rotenberg said she ‘would never be with, let alone marry, a man who mistreats women.’” [Bangor Daily News, 10/20/25]
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Jonathan Bush Attributed Domestic Violence Allegations To An Activist Investor Takeover And Avoided Addressing Alcohol Use
January 2026: When Asked To Respond To His Domestic Violence History, Jonathan Bush Claimed The Domestic Violence Allegations Occurred At The Same Time When Elliott Capital Was Trying To Get Bush Removed As CEO Of Athenahealth. According to Bush’s interview with The Ray Richardson Show, “HOST: No, the issue is the violence piece. Right. It sounds like that's you're acknowledging that. So people are you know, as a man, I don't understand that. Not judging you, but it's something that we're going to be asked to vote for you. Every man needs to understand that. BUSH: The allegations were generated when Elliott Capital was trying to get me fired and take over my company. The only paper that carried it was the London Daily Mail. I, I, I cannot go into that period of my life from 22 years ago accurately. But I will say and I have said we had a tough divorce [laughs] and we've loved on each other very hard before, during and after. And we've built a great partnership that has raised great kids. And in her judgment, I'm a good person with a good public service potential who should be governor of Maine. So that's where we are with it. HOST: Hey, I just wanted to give you an opportunity to respond. BUSH: There it is. Glad you did.” [Jonathan Bush Interview – The Ray Richardson Show, 1/9/26] (AUDIO)
January 2026: Jonathan Bush Declined To Address Alcohol Use During The Domestic Violence Incident And Again Attributed Past Domestic Violence Allegations To A Private Equity Investor Trying To “Take Over” Bush’s Company. According to Bush’s interview with The Ray Richardson Show, “HOST: But was there any circumstances you would say, was there alcohol maybe involved that made the situation worse or what? BUSH: I think is it would be utterly impossible to go back to that night of 22 years ago and give you an accurate picture. I'm tempted to answer this or that detail that I remember and she remembers. But this was the this was a treatment by lawyers that were engaged in a custody battle that was then taken by a detective that was working for a private equity investor that was trying to take over a company. And so we see it, you know, on that Internet and then we try to fill in the pieces. The truth of the matter is, all you can know for sure that I can know for sure is I had a tough divorce. We quickly worked together, recovered quickly, and spent 22 years raising five beautiful kids. And she supports the campaign. And she's not a she's not a shy… HOST: Do you think the Bush name hurt you through the divorce? BUSH: Oh, probably. I mean, we were talking about earlier, everything about all of us is a headwind and a tailwind. Yeah, whatever label, you know, there are pros and cons to all of it. And the goal is, thank God for the headwinds and use them. Use them to help people and get over yourself on a oh tail. Thank God for the tailwinds and whatever.” [Jonathan Bush Interview – The Ray Richardson Show, 1/9/26] (AUDIO)
¶ Jonathan Bush Dismissed Criticism That He Was Anti-Woman Or Misogynistic And Blamed “Cancel Culture,” Further Defending Himself With Workplace Diversity
January 2026: Bush Blamed “Cancel Culture” For Past Allegations And Pointed To Athenahealth’s Predominantly Female Workforce And Support From His Current Wife To Reject Claims He Was Anti-Woman Or Misogynistic.
According to Bush’s interview with The Ray Richardson Show, “HOST 1: Well, I mean, I think everybody's looking at me. But I mean, you know, I do think, you know, there's no one that's out there that has not, you know, had some issues. I personally would have you know, I would never strike a woman. I got three daughters. But I'm not passing judgment on you. That's up to the voters. But I can't wrap my head around it. But whatever. I mean, everybody's got issues, and that's for sure. And that's about all I have to say on that issue. HOST 2: Yeah. And really, I just felt like I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you about it to go ahead and seeing what a straight shooter you are. I figured you'd want that [….] Do you think it poses a major issue in the general if you get there? Because you really don't see that kind of stuff acknowledged among folks running for governor too often in any state. BUSH: We'll see. I think in this era of cancel culture, the exaggeration and contortion of things is is dialed into people's minds. And people know me, a lot of people a lot of people in Maine have seen me operate. Athenahealth is in Belfast is with 70% women. There's been plenty of opportunity for people to identify if if, if any part of me is somehow dangerous, violent, anti-woman, it would show up. So my sense is people will dial it in wisely and and judge it accordingly. And I think, you know, the Bangor Daily News tried to hammer it about five times or something. And finally, my wife and I made a video saying, okay, the story is out there grow up and cover the rest of it. And, you know, if you bring it up again, I'll say the same thing, but this is the first time you're mentioning it. So it's good to get it out there and then move on. But my sense is people will get to know my character and whether they view me to be sort of closet violent or closet misogynistic or anything like that. And they'll decide wisely. I trust Mainers a lot to decide wisely about people's character.” [Jonathan Bush Interview – The Ray Richardson Show, 1/9/26](AUDIO)