"John Bolton Discusses Trump's Misconception: 'He Thinks He and Putin Are Friends'"
In a candid revelation, Trump’s former national security adviser expresses strong opinions regarding the leaked Signal group chat and shares insights on Trump’s foreign policy approach.
TroibNews 
Much of Washington is still anxiously waiting to discover who, if anyone, will face dismissal over the incident now termed Signalgate. However, the underlying issue is which conservative faction will shape Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
Will it be traditional hawks like national security adviser Michael Waltz, who unintentionally invited Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg into the discussion, or America First advocates like Vice President JD Vance, who voiced doubt about military strikes on the Houthis in Yemen?
John Bolton, a familiar figure in the cutthroat environment of a Trump administration and former national security adviser in Trump's first term before his contentious split with the president, shared his thoughts on these matters during an interview for the Playbook Deep Dive podcast. He discussed Signal disclosures, Trump's interactions with Vladimir Putin, and the nature of being the target of the president's personal grudges.
Bolton, a veteran national security hawk, also criticized Vance, who expressed concerns over America needing to ensure open shipping lanes for European interests.
The United States has been dedicated to “freedom of the seas” since the days of Thomas Jefferson, Bolton remarked. “It’s all out there, just open a book.”
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity by Deep Dive Producer Kara Tabor and Senior Producer Alex Keeney.
You can listen to the full Playbook Deep Dive podcast interview here:
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Bolton also addressed his experiences shortly after Trump took office, including the revocation of his Secret Service protection even when threats remained, particularly from the Iranians. “Well, I’m glad to be on his mind," Bolton noted, adding, "I guess that’s the only thing I can say."
The threat to himself and others, including prominent Trump associates, continues to weigh heavily on him. Bolton stated that “this threat — not just to myself, but including Trump and [Mike] Pompeo, [Mark] Esper, [Mark] Milley and others — is a conclusion of years of watching the Iranians and pretty solid information about the nature of the threat.”
As for Signalgate, Bolton explained that during his tenure as national security adviser, he avoided using Signal for highly sensitive discussions. “Well, I didn’t use Signal then and, you know, I took a pretty simplistic approach to things.”
He added, “I would say that there are two kinds of communication when you’re in one of these senior administration positions.” According to him, there's secure government telecommunications, which has received extensive investment to ensure its security, and then “every other option” which is unacceptable.
He critiqued the White House's excuse regarding the lack of communication during weekends, stating, “If you want a group chat, there’s a place for it: It’s called the Situation Room.”
Bolton stressed the gravity of military actions, remarking, “The United States is about to engage in using military force. You got something else more important in mind?”
On the fallout from Signalgate, he noted that Trump despises embarrassment and the perception of weakness, stating, “If he thinks he’s suffering political damage as a result of this, then I think the risk to everybody involved goes up.”
He reflected on the broader implications, suggesting that the Trump administration's current cadre of advisors remains under pressure as the administration evaluates its political capital. “But the second metric at work is, what has all this done to Trump’s view of the people themselves?”
He drew attention to Trump’s interactions with other figures in the administration, saying that while certain advisors might currently escape scrutiny, eventually, the impact of Signalgate might make individuals vulnerable.
Waltz's leadership, Bolton believes, is vulnerable, especially in light of the Signal issue. He stressed, “Everybody on that Signal group chat had a responsibility to protect government secrets and the daddy on that chat, the highest ranking official, was the vice president.”
On the topic of accountability, Bolton questioned the lack of repercussions for those involved given the gravity of the information shared. He recalled a quote from the Marquis de Talleyrand about mistakes versus crimes.
As the conversation shifted to the internal factions within the Republican Party, Bolton expressed concerns over a division between more traditional hawks and the America First faction. “I think it’s pretty much one-sided, more by the pro-Russia faction within the MAGA movement against what you might call the Reaganite,” he commented.
He expressed hope that Waltz would push back against this isolationist sentiment but acknowledged the precarious situation he faces. “If I said I thought he should stay, that might hurt him.”
Moving onto the recent statements made by Vice President Vance regarding European interests and military interventions, Bolton firmly disagreed with his perspective, arguing it lacks a nuanced understanding of international relations.
Addressing the ongoing tensions around Ukraine and Russia, Bolton remarked on Trump’s approach towards both nations, suggesting that Trump views diplomacy through a personal lens. “He thinks he and Putin are friends,” Bolton stated. Conversely, he noted Trump’s adversarial stance towards Zelenskyy since “the perfect phone call” that led to his impeachment.
Bolton criticized Trump’s inconsistent policies regarding China as well, expressing frustration over delays in actions meant to curb the influence of TikTok in the U.S. “It ought to be banned in this country,” he asserted.
Despite his criticisms of Trump’s foreign policy, Bolton identified some successes under Trump’s initiatives, particularly regarding border control.
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.In addition to discussing those pivotal relationships, Bolton elaborated on the broader implications of Trump’s foreign policy strategies. He described how Trump's transactional approach affects national security considerations. "Trump views international relations through the prism of his personal relations with foreign leaders," Bolton explained, highlighting a perspective that can often overlook strategic interests in favor of personal dynamics.
Bolton emphasized that this can lead to a shaky international positioning. “He thinks that if he has good relations with Putin, then the U.S. has good relations with Russia. That’s not true, but that’s what he thinks,” Bolton asserted. This mindset complicates America's foreign policy landscape, especially when it comes to critical issues like Ukraine.
When discussing Trump's approach to China, Bolton pointed to an ongoing tension between confrontation and negotiation. “He wants at some point to negotiate the biggest trade deal in human history with China,” he noted, highlighting Trump’s instincts to balance aggression with a desire for monumental deals. However, Bolton cautioned against this, urging that a firm stance is necessary.
“It ought to be banned in this country,” he said regarding TikTok, which he views as more than just a social media application. He argued that it functions as a tool of Chinese intelligence gathering on American citizens, further complicating the technological and economic relationship between the two nations.
Bolton's reflections on Trump's foreign policy decisions reveal the complexities of navigating a globalized world marked by shifting power dynamics. He expressed concern that Trump’s inconsistent policies undermine the U.S. position internationally.
The podcast conversation also touched on the implications of such diplomatic strategies for U.S. allies in Europe. Bolton suggested that Vance's dismissive view of European interests and security cooperation reflects a deeper ideological divide within the Republican Party. “There’s no appreciation for what a collective security, collective defense organization like NATO is and what it gives the United States,” Bolton pointed out. This lack of understanding, he fears, could lead to significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy that abandon traditional alliances.
As for the future of U.S. engagement in global affairs, Bolton voiced concerns over isolationist sentiments. “The more Reaganite people are just trying to do their job, but it shows fundamentally how non-serious these isolationists, neo-isolationists are and how they don’t understand really how much is at stake,” he said, implying that their attitudes could jeopardize American interests abroad.
The conversation shifted back to the ramifications if the Trump administration were to neglect its alliances and responsibilities. Bolton warned that such a failure could have profound consequences. “If we don’t do it for us, nobody else is going to do it for us,” he asserted, pressing the importance of maintaining a robust international presence.
Looking ahead, Bolton expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a pushback against isolationist tendencies within the party, especially if figures like Waltz continue to advocate for traditional foreign policy. However, he recognized the challenges ahead. “I think there will be conflicts, and they will be over who gets to define what America’s role should be in the world,” he concluded.
As the podcast wrapped up, Bolton stressed the need for clarity and decisiveness in U.S. foreign policy. He believes that in an increasingly multipolar world, having a coherent strategy grounded in American values and interests is vital for ensuring national security and global stability.
Listeners eagerly anticipate how these dynamics will unfold in the context of the upcoming election cycles, as the divide in conservative ideologies appears poised to shape not just the Republican Party’s platform but also the future of America's place on the world stage.
For more on these discussions, the full interview can be accessed on the Playbook Deep Dive podcast available on platforms like Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, where listeners can dive deeper into the complexities of contemporary American foreign policy as articulated by Bolton and other political experts.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Will it be traditional hawks like national security adviser Michael Waltz, who unintentionally invited Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg into the discussion, or America First advocates like Vice President JD Vance, who voiced doubt about military strikes on the Houthis in Yemen?
John Bolton, a familiar figure in the cutthroat environment of a Trump administration and former national security adviser in Trump's first term before his contentious split with the president, shared his thoughts on these matters during an interview for the Playbook Deep Dive podcast. He discussed Signal disclosures, Trump's interactions with Vladimir Putin, and the nature of being the target of the president's personal grudges.
Bolton, a veteran national security hawk, also criticized Vance, who expressed concerns over America needing to ensure open shipping lanes for European interests.
The United States has been dedicated to “freedom of the seas” since the days of Thomas Jefferson, Bolton remarked. “It’s all out there, just open a book.”
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity by Deep Dive Producer Kara Tabor and Senior Producer Alex Keeney.
You can listen to the full Playbook Deep Dive podcast interview here:
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Bolton also addressed his experiences shortly after Trump took office, including the revocation of his Secret Service protection even when threats remained, particularly from the Iranians. “Well, I’m glad to be on his mind," Bolton noted, adding, "I guess that’s the only thing I can say."
The threat to himself and others, including prominent Trump associates, continues to weigh heavily on him. Bolton stated that “this threat — not just to myself, but including Trump and [Mike] Pompeo, [Mark] Esper, [Mark] Milley and others — is a conclusion of years of watching the Iranians and pretty solid information about the nature of the threat.”
As for Signalgate, Bolton explained that during his tenure as national security adviser, he avoided using Signal for highly sensitive discussions. “Well, I didn’t use Signal then and, you know, I took a pretty simplistic approach to things.”
He added, “I would say that there are two kinds of communication when you’re in one of these senior administration positions.” According to him, there's secure government telecommunications, which has received extensive investment to ensure its security, and then “every other option” which is unacceptable.
He critiqued the White House's excuse regarding the lack of communication during weekends, stating, “If you want a group chat, there’s a place for it: It’s called the Situation Room.”
Bolton stressed the gravity of military actions, remarking, “The United States is about to engage in using military force. You got something else more important in mind?”
On the fallout from Signalgate, he noted that Trump despises embarrassment and the perception of weakness, stating, “If he thinks he’s suffering political damage as a result of this, then I think the risk to everybody involved goes up.”
He reflected on the broader implications, suggesting that the Trump administration's current cadre of advisors remains under pressure as the administration evaluates its political capital. “But the second metric at work is, what has all this done to Trump’s view of the people themselves?”
He drew attention to Trump’s interactions with other figures in the administration, saying that while certain advisors might currently escape scrutiny, eventually, the impact of Signalgate might make individuals vulnerable.
Waltz's leadership, Bolton believes, is vulnerable, especially in light of the Signal issue. He stressed, “Everybody on that Signal group chat had a responsibility to protect government secrets and the daddy on that chat, the highest ranking official, was the vice president.”
On the topic of accountability, Bolton questioned the lack of repercussions for those involved given the gravity of the information shared. He recalled a quote from the Marquis de Talleyrand about mistakes versus crimes.
As the conversation shifted to the internal factions within the Republican Party, Bolton expressed concerns over a division between more traditional hawks and the America First faction. “I think it’s pretty much one-sided, more by the pro-Russia faction within the MAGA movement against what you might call the Reaganite,” he commented.
He expressed hope that Waltz would push back against this isolationist sentiment but acknowledged the precarious situation he faces. “If I said I thought he should stay, that might hurt him.”
Moving onto the recent statements made by Vice President Vance regarding European interests and military interventions, Bolton firmly disagreed with his perspective, arguing it lacks a nuanced understanding of international relations.
Addressing the ongoing tensions around Ukraine and Russia, Bolton remarked on Trump’s approach towards both nations, suggesting that Trump views diplomacy through a personal lens. “He thinks he and Putin are friends,” Bolton stated. Conversely, he noted Trump’s adversarial stance towards Zelenskyy since “the perfect phone call” that led to his impeachment.
Bolton criticized Trump’s inconsistent policies regarding China as well, expressing frustration over delays in actions meant to curb the influence of TikTok in the U.S. “It ought to be banned in this country,” he asserted.
Despite his criticisms of Trump’s foreign policy, Bolton identified some successes under Trump’s initiatives, particularly regarding border control.
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.In addition to discussing those pivotal relationships, Bolton elaborated on the broader implications of Trump’s foreign policy strategies. He described how Trump's transactional approach affects national security considerations. "Trump views international relations through the prism of his personal relations with foreign leaders," Bolton explained, highlighting a perspective that can often overlook strategic interests in favor of personal dynamics.
Bolton emphasized that this can lead to a shaky international positioning. “He thinks that if he has good relations with Putin, then the U.S. has good relations with Russia. That’s not true, but that’s what he thinks,” Bolton asserted. This mindset complicates America's foreign policy landscape, especially when it comes to critical issues like Ukraine.
When discussing Trump's approach to China, Bolton pointed to an ongoing tension between confrontation and negotiation. “He wants at some point to negotiate the biggest trade deal in human history with China,” he noted, highlighting Trump’s instincts to balance aggression with a desire for monumental deals. However, Bolton cautioned against this, urging that a firm stance is necessary.
“It ought to be banned in this country,” he said regarding TikTok, which he views as more than just a social media application. He argued that it functions as a tool of Chinese intelligence gathering on American citizens, further complicating the technological and economic relationship between the two nations.
Bolton's reflections on Trump's foreign policy decisions reveal the complexities of navigating a globalized world marked by shifting power dynamics. He expressed concern that Trump’s inconsistent policies undermine the U.S. position internationally.
The podcast conversation also touched on the implications of such diplomatic strategies for U.S. allies in Europe. Bolton suggested that Vance's dismissive view of European interests and security cooperation reflects a deeper ideological divide within the Republican Party. “There’s no appreciation for what a collective security, collective defense organization like NATO is and what it gives the United States,” Bolton pointed out. This lack of understanding, he fears, could lead to significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy that abandon traditional alliances.
As for the future of U.S. engagement in global affairs, Bolton voiced concerns over isolationist sentiments. “The more Reaganite people are just trying to do their job, but it shows fundamentally how non-serious these isolationists, neo-isolationists are and how they don’t understand really how much is at stake,” he said, implying that their attitudes could jeopardize American interests abroad.
The conversation shifted back to the ramifications if the Trump administration were to neglect its alliances and responsibilities. Bolton warned that such a failure could have profound consequences. “If we don’t do it for us, nobody else is going to do it for us,” he asserted, pressing the importance of maintaining a robust international presence.
Looking ahead, Bolton expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a pushback against isolationist tendencies within the party, especially if figures like Waltz continue to advocate for traditional foreign policy. However, he recognized the challenges ahead. “I think there will be conflicts, and they will be over who gets to define what America’s role should be in the world,” he concluded.
As the podcast wrapped up, Bolton stressed the need for clarity and decisiveness in U.S. foreign policy. He believes that in an increasingly multipolar world, having a coherent strategy grounded in American values and interests is vital for ensuring national security and global stability.
Listeners eagerly anticipate how these dynamics will unfold in the context of the upcoming election cycles, as the divide in conservative ideologies appears poised to shape not just the Republican Party’s platform but also the future of America's place on the world stage.
For more on these discussions, the full interview can be accessed on the Playbook Deep Dive podcast available on platforms like Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, where listeners can dive deeper into the complexities of contemporary American foreign policy as articulated by Bolton and other political experts.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
