John Bolton, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, cautioned Republicans against assuming that there will be a “flowering of conservatism” if Trump were to win a second term in November. Bolton, a vocal critic of Trump since leaving his administration in 2019, stated that Trump was not an appropriate candidate for conservatives. He criticized fellow ex-Trump official Nikki Haley for lacking leadership by supporting the former president and warned conservative Republicans to prepare for disappointment if Trump were to be re-elected, as he believes Trump lacks a cohesive philosophy and is not a true conservative.
Bolton, who has served in various government roles, including in the Reagan and Bush administrations, expressed that Trump is not a true Republican or conservative, but more of a “Trumpist” who believes in himself. He stated that the lack of a conservative option on the ballot this November has put him in an uncomfortable position of not wanting to vote for either candidate. Despite former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Bolton joked about still intending to write in Dick Cheney as his presidential choice, emphasizing that he wants to vote for a conservative Republican and not allow the Republican Party to become a cult of personality.
In an earlier interview with Newsweek, Bolton warned that a second Trump term would result in continuing crisis and potential damage to the country. He expressed concerns that Trump would hire more “enablers” who align with his opinions without providing any constructive criticism. Bolton emphasized the importance of preventing Trump from further damaging the country and the necessity of a fight within the Republican Party between the Reaganite wing and the Trump wing following the election, indicating that much is at stake in this battle for the future of the party.
Former President Donald Trump has disparaged John Bolton in the past, calling him one of the “dumbest people in Government” despite inviting him to join his administration. Trump claimed to have used Bolton to intimidate foreign leaders and enhance negotiations. Bolton’s criticisms of Trump and his warnings about the potential consequences of a second Trump term highlight the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the struggle for its ideological direction. As the November election approaches, the future of conservatism and the Republican Party remains uncertain, with significant implications for the party’s identity and policies moving forward.
