In his new book, former National Security Advisor John Bolton alleges that President Donald Trump spent part of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping “pleading” for help in the upcoming presidential election.
An excerpt of the book, published by The Washington Post, on Wednesday claimed that Trump “stressed the importance of farmers, and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome” in his meeting with Xi.
But, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer says he was in that meeting and that Trump never asked Xi for help in the upcoming election.
“Absolutely untrue, never happened. I was there. I have no recollection of that ever happening. I don’t believe it’s true, I don’t believe it ever happened,” Lighthizer said roughly an hour after the Post published the excerpt.
Bolton’s book “The Room Where It Happened,” set to be released on June 23, is being billed by its publisher as “the book Donald Trump doesn’t want you to read.”
And it is expected to show that “Trump’s Ukraine-like transgressions existed across the full range of his foreign policy.”
Speaking to reports on Monday, Trump suggested that Bolton’s book might contain falsehoods, “Maybe he’s not telling the truth, he’s been known not to tell the truth, a lot.”
After Bolton refused to testify in the impeachment effort against Trump, his book has become a source of controversy as lawmakers have blasted him for putting salacious and potentially impeachable offenses in a book, but not testifying.
Some Democratic impeachment managers blasted Bolton for not testifying during the impeachment process:
During our impeachment investigation, dozens of patriotic public servants did what was right, They risked—and some lost—their careers and livelihoods by testifying about the president's cover-ups and illegal abuses of power.
— Former Congresswoman Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 17, 2020
I am reminded of the words of Dr. King: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."
— Former Congresswoman Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 17, 2020
Bolton’s staff were asked to testify before the House to Trump’s abuses, and did. They had a lot to lose and showed real courage.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) June 17, 2020
When Bolton was asked, he refused, and said he’d sue if subpoenaed. Instead, he saved it for a book.
Bolton may be an author, but he’s no patriot.
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers questioned whether Bolton was telling the truth in his book:
From the pool. GOP FL Rep Gaetz: Mr Bolton’s credibility is largely in question as a consequence of his resentment to the president for never taking his advice
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 17, 2020
From the pool. Jordan: “Bolton’s got an ax to grind” and says the reports are “ridiculous”
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 17, 2020
Pressed on if he believes Bolton and some of the new allegations that have surfaced, Sen. John Cornyn tells me “Well I like John Bolton personally, but I also know he is trying to sell a book so that makes me approach this with a little bit of caution.”
— Lauren Fox (@FoxReports) June 17, 2020
Despite efforts to stop its release, Bolton’s lawyers have said they plan to publish it next week.