Bolton Issues Warning To Trump

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton, who served under President Donald Trump but has since become a vocal critic, recently weighed in on the presence of billionaire Elon Musk in a call between President-elect Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Bolton’s response, however, was dismissive, suggesting that Musk’s involvement was just another example of the unconventional approach Trump is known for.

When asked about the call, Bolton told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “My first reaction when I heard it was, well, so what? What’s unusual about having the Vice President-elect sitting with the President-elect on a call?” He quickly noted, however, that Musk was not the vice president-elect, further describing the situation as typical of Trump’s leadership style. “Bounds and norms are not Trump’s strength, as we know,” Bolton remarked, downplaying the significance of the event while acknowledging that it does not signal a return to order or stability within Trump’s orbit.

Musk’s presence on the call has raised eyebrows, especially as Trump prepares for a potential return to the White House. The conversation between Trump and Zelensky was described as “productive” by the Ukrainian leader, who expressed hopes that America under Trump would become “stronger” once again. However, critics have argued that Trump’s promises to end the war in Ukraine quickly could mean conceding territory to Russia—a position many conservatives find troubling, but one that resonates with Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.

In addition to his comments on the call, Bolton shared his thoughts on the role of a national security adviser, stressing the importance of providing the president with well-rounded options for policy decisions. “If the president doesn’t take your advice, that goes with the job,” Bolton said. “But your job is not to just say, ‘Yes, sir.’ You need to ensure that all the information is laid out and all feasible options are considered.”

As Trump moves forward with vetting potential Cabinet members, it’s clear that his approach to governance will continue to challenge conventional norms and spark debates about the future direction of U.S. foreign policy. Regardless of Bolton’s criticisms, the influence of figures like Musk suggests that Trump’s administration could look very different from the traditional political establishment.