Former Trump Official Sides With Biden
Former national security adviser John Bolton, a vocal critic of former President Trump since leaving the administration, commended President Biden’s choice of words when describing his likely chief reelection rival. In a recent CNN interview with anchor John Berman, Bolton acknowledged that Biden had “pretty well nailed” it in terms of capturing Trump’s personality.
The endorsement follows a report from Politico claiming that Biden, in private conversations, referred to Trump as a “sick f‑‑‑” and labeled him a “f‑‑‑ing a‑‑‑‑‑‑.” Bolton, who served under Trump in 2018 and 2019, expressed agreement with Biden’s assessment of Trump’s character.
Bolton, known for his critical stance toward Trump’s approach to national security, emphasized that the core issue lies not in Trump’s personality but in his lack of competence for the presidential role. Bolton argued that Trump’s deficiencies in understanding the complexities of national security jeopardize the effective execution of the job. He asserted that, despite the unpleasant personality traits, the critical concern is Trump’s inability to grasp the responsibilities associated with the position.
During the CNN interview, Bolton reiterated his earlier statement that Trump is “fundamentally ignorant” about national security matters. He insisted that the problem lies in Trump’s failure to learn and adapt during his first term, suggesting that a potential second term would likely see the United States withdrawing from NATO under Trump’s leadership.
Bolton, currently promoting a new edition of his memoir, underscored the potential consequences of Trump’s return to the Oval Office. According to Bolton, a second Trump term could signal the end of the U.S. relationship with and membership in NATO, a significant geopolitical development with far-reaching implications for international security.
In essence, Bolton’s recent remarks not only echo his longstanding criticism of Trump’s competence but also align with Biden’s private sentiments regarding his predecessor’s personality, creating a narrative that emphasizes the substantive challenges posed by Trump’s potential return to power.