President-elect Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton talks about President-elect Trump's decision to include billionaire Elon Musk in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after his 2024 election victory. It seems like he just dismissed it.
“My first reaction when I heard that was, oh, so what? What's so unusual about the vice president-elect having a conference call with the president-elect? And Bolton said Friday, “Of course I realized that Elon Musk is not the next vice president, which I think is a very Trumpian thing,” he told CNN's Caitlan Collins.
“[The] As we know, certain limits and norms are not Trump's strong suit. I don't get hyperthyroidism from this any time soon, but it's a sign that order and stability has suddenly appeared at Mar-a-Lago, despite what everyone is saying about this early appointment. Absolutely not,” he added in an interview. on CNN's “The Source.”
Trump has met with many world leaders since he was declared the winner of the White House race against Vice President Harris. Mr. Musk's presence on the phone call with Mr. Zelenskiy is an indication of how his close relationship with the president-elect could manifest in January.
Zelenskiy said the call was a “productive conversation, a good conversation.”
“Of course, we don't yet know what his actions will be. But we want America to be stronger,” he said.
Even before he took office in January, President Trump had been touting on the campaign trail for months that he could end the nearly three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. His critics say this would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.
Bolton, who served under the Trump administration but has become a vocal critic, said the new information about the call was “just like Donald Trump and the latest bright shiny object, Elon's 'Do what you want to do.' It looks chaotic.” Musk. ”
The former U.N. ambassador was also asked to provide advice to potential candidates for the next national security adviser.
In his remarks, Bolton explained that his role requires him to make sure that the president is presented with options so that he can “make the best policy choices.” And they must ensure that decisions are implemented, he said.
“If the president doesn't take your advice, that's what comes with the job,” he stressed in the interview. by Mediaite. “You are the national security adviser, not the national security decision-maker.”
“But most certainly, it's not your job to just say, 'Yes, sir,' when the president says something,” Bolton continued. We have to do everything we can, and obviously we're dealing with humans, but there are things we can do to make sure that all the information is available and that all viable options are available. You need to do everything you can. ”
The former aide added, “If you say, 'Yes, sir,' every time the president speaks, and you fail to do so, you are not serving the president, and you are not serving the country.”
The comments came as President Trump's transition team has already begun vetting potential candidates for Cabinet and other key administration positions. So far, he has only announced Susie Wiles as chief of staff, the first woman to hold the position.
