Former National Security Adviser John Bolton has issued a cautionary note to Republicans about the potential consequences of a Donald Trump election victory in November. He believes that a second term for Trump will not lead to a resurgence of conservative values, contrary to what some may expect.
In a CNN interview with Kaitlan Collins, Bolton, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since leaving the administration in September 2019, stated that Trump does not represent an “acceptable” choice for conservatives. He also criticized fellow Republican Nikki Haley for her perceived lack of leadership in aligning with Trump.
“Leadership means acknowledging that Donald Trump should not be the Republican nominee,” Bolton stressed. He emphasized that entering politics should be about core philosophies rather than personal aspirations, claiming that Trump lacks a coherent conservative philosophy.
Bolton also called into question Trump’s status as a true Republican, referring to him as a “Trumpist” who prioritizes his own brand over traditional conservative values. “There’s no conservative on the ballot this November,” he lamented. Bolton plans to support former Vice President Dick Cheney by writing him in, despite recent endorsements of Kamala Harris from Cheney and his daughter, Liz. He humorously noted that this complicates his plans for a significant Cheney vote.
Reflecting on the future of the Republican Party, Bolton warned against its transformation into a “cult of personality” under Trump. He anticipates a significant internal struggle between what he termed the Reaganite wing and the Trump wing of the party, which he believes will shape its direction moving forward.
Bolton concluded that Trump’s presidency would likely favor hiring only sycophants who echo his views, rather than individuals with independent thoughts—resulting in a government not positioned to serve the country effectively. In response to Bolton’s criticisms, Trump previously dismissed him on Truth Social, labeling him as “one of the dumbest people in Government” despite having appointed him initially.