“He thinks he and Putin are friends”: John Bolton on how Trump is susceptible to manipulation

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton harshly criticized Donald Trump, his inner circle, and his approach to foreign policy.

In an interview with Politico, Bolton unpacked the recent “Signalgate” scandal, divisions within the Republican camp, and Trump’s personal vulnerabilities when dealing with authoritarian leaders.

“Signalgate”: Secrets in a Messenger App

The scandal involving leaks from an encrypted Signal chat exposed chaos within Trump’s team. The chat—where sensitive military plans, including strikes on the Houthis in Yemen, were discussed—reportedly included The Atlanticjournalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Key figures involved were National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Bolton called the incident a “flagrant violation” and rebuked the team for ignoring official secure communication channels. He stressed that this wasn’t just a protocol breach but a real threat to U.S. military personnel.

“There are systems in place—like the Situation Room. The fact that they’re discussing this kind of thing in Signal is astonishing,” Bolton said.

An Administration Torn by Contradictions

The incident revealed growing tension between two factions within Trump’s team: traditional Republican “hawks” and isolationists led by Vice President J.D. Vance, who promote the “America First” doctrine.

Bolton sees the blame game between Waltz and Hegseth as a symptom of this broader ideological war within the administration.

Diplomacy Driven by Personal Affections

Bolton criticized Trump’s naivety and overreliance on personal relationships in global diplomacy—particularly with regard to Russia.

“He thinks he and Putin are friends. But Putin doesn’t see it that way. He sees Trump as an easy mark,” said Bolton.

In his view, Putin skillfully manipulates Trump—releasing hostages and praising him in the media to gain concessions, especially on Ukraine.

China, TikTok, and Trade

Bolton also expressed concern that Trump has allegedly softened his stance on TikTok and Chinese investments—possibly in exchange for promises of “the greatest trade deal.” He called this “strategic blindness.”

“TikTok isn’t just an app. It’s a tool of Chinese intelligence,” Bolton warned.

Anti-European Rhetoric and Yemen

According to Bolton, Vice President Vance portrays strikes against the Houthis as “saving Europe” rather than defending global stability. Bolton finds this logic dangerous:

“Freedom of the seas has been the cornerstone of American policy since Jefferson. It’s not charity for Europe.”

Personal Grudges and Security Policy

Bolton revealed that after leaving his post, Trump revoked his Secret Service protection, despite real threats from Iran. He sees this not only as personal revenge but also as a sign of Trump’s immaturity in matters of national security.

Rare Successes

Despite his strong criticism, Bolton acknowledged some of Trump’s accomplishments—particularly his strict immigration policies on the southern border, which Bolton deemed effective.

Conclusion

The “Signalgate” scandal and Bolton’s commentary expose not only deep divisions within Trump’s team but also fundamental flaws in his foreign policy approach. From blind faith in personal ties with autocrats to risky decisions made over messaging apps, Bolton sees these missteps as a serious threat to America’s global standing.