Former national security adviser John Bolton is not holding back on his assessment of former President Donald Trump, calling him “juvenile.”
During an appearance on CNN’s “New Day” Friday, Bolton was asked why he was chuckling at a statement released by Trump about a new report that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was concerned he would attempt a coup following the election.
“It’s juvenile. It’s unbecoming of a former president of the United States to refer to people who served the country well and served in his administration as if they’re in a kindergarten class,” Bolton said.
He continued, “And it’s a sad commentary on Trump himself, but I think also reflective of much of his behavior during four years in office. And I’m laughing, and I shouldn’t laugh because it’s more serious than that, but it’s so typical that I can’t stop myself.”
CNN’s Brianna Keilar mentioned comments Bolton made in November of 2020, saying the suggestion that Trump could stage a coup gives him “too much credit.”
She asked him if he looks differently on it now.
Watch the video below:
Trump’s response to reports that top US general Milley feared the former President would attempt a coup is “juvenile,” former National Security Adviser John Bolton says.
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) July 16, 2021
“I shouldn’t laugh because it’s more serious than that, but it’s so typical that I can’t stop myself.” pic.twitter.com/Waugrd7S0j
“No. The idea of Trump staging a coup does give him too much credit. That requires advance thinking, planning, strategizing, building up support, and I just don’t think he’s capable of that,” Bolton said.
He added, “What he was capable of was on a daily basis doing something more and more outrageous than he had done the day before, all to the same end of staying in power. But the notion that Trump could have orchestrated a coup does give him too much credit.”
In a statement on Thursday, Trump said he “never threatened, or spoke about, to anyone a coup of our Government. So ridiculous! Sorry to inform you, but an Election is my form of ‘coup.'”
He continued, “And if I was going to do a coup, one of the last people I would want to do it with is General Mark Milley. He got his job only because the world’s most overrated general, James Mattis, could not stand him, had no respect for him, and would not recommend him. To me, the fact that Mattis didn’t like him, just like Obama didn’t like him and actually fired Milley, was a good thing, not a bad thing. I often act counter to people’s advice who I don’t respect.”