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© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Bolton says Trump pleaded with China to help him get reelected
By ZEKE MILLER, DEB RIECHMANN and JILL COLVIN WASHINGTON©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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113 Comments
David Varnes
If this is true, no wonder Donald Trump nearly threw a fit constantly over keeping this book from being published.
If it's true.
Sadly in this case, it's a matter of the lying sociopath against the lying megalomaniac. And I'm not sure which is which.
konjo4u
Two briefings a week? High School cheerleaders show more dedication to their work.
Serrano
Trump asked China to help him get reelected
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Tell me another one, Bolton! Just be sure it doesn't include classified info.
PTownsend
Who knows whether a serial liar like Bolton is telling the truth re China, but Trump loudly and proudly claimed for all the world to hear 'Russia if you're listening'. Both Xi and Putin must want Trump to stay. Both are bright enough to know having a corrupt halfwit in the WH reduces the US to a rudderless ship, one easily manipulated. The present state of the US, the lowest it's been in decades, maybe ever, evidence of Trump's incompetence.
Cricky
Don't like either of them, so have at it. Mmm who would I want at a dinner party? Not them that's a conundrum I don't have to worry about.
rainyday
Ah, so that is why Trump has been so desperate to ban the book.
plasticmonkey
If it’s all false, why is Trump blocking the book’s publication?
PTownsend
Good point. As some of said, 'laws are for peasants'. Not for the 'elite' like Trump who, similar to other banana republic dictators, says 'For my friends everything, for my enemies the law'.
The Avenger
And here comes the stampede of cowardly GOP Senators, rushing to their own bunkers to escape any reporter asking them for comments. Cowards.
Hey Susan Collins, is your brow furrowing now? Any sternly worded letters of disapproval coming up? Such a disgusting hypocrite.
PTownsend
above 'as some HAVE said'
Yrral
Book has already been read, and reviewed cover to cover, before it release
rainyday
(grabs bag of popcorn, sits in comfy sofa, looks to see how Trump supporters are going to spin this)
OK, this should be good.
Blacklabel
Yeah ok. China this time. Sure.
Some other sites have an article for each ridiculous statement that is supposedly in the book.
supposedly Finland is part of Russia too. What has been released so far sounds like attempted, made up, mockery.
ulysses
Nothing new really, we all knew trump was dumb and corrupt.
yakyak
The serial liar that is Bolton, he has done it to 3 other administrations.
commanteer
So you would be fine if someone published a book of lies about you? It's quite common for people to seek to block publication of such books. It's certainly no indication the the book is the truth.
Blacklabel
Because there is a signed NDA that prevents conversations being made public. To prevent this exact issue.
bolton got paid 2 million to lie about Trump to affect the election. Why would anyone allow this to be released if they can legally stop it?
Sh1mon M4sada
Bolton's PR machine working overtime again to helps sales of his new book. Is this even news?
So what? US sell more to China, people win, people vote for Trump. What's so special about it? Not even close to Ukraine aid scandal.
bass4funk
If it's all true why didn't Bolten testify, there were plenty of ways he could have done so, but didn't. We also have to remember Bolton and his book, the recordings and transcripts were not entirely vetted yet completely.
1glenn
Seven months and three days until Biden is sworn in. It can't get here soon enough.
sunfunbun
Trump's not worried about classified information being leaked, only self interest in how his dysfunctional WH, his presidency and weak knee'd self is exposed.
They know he is a coward, as does Kim. At first, they were all a bit wary of Trump pushing the button, but now...they know he's gutless and his bravado is just show. He's a total wimp. The fly on their respective walls would show early caution toward Trump, turning to ridicule and laughter.
Someone who has nothing to hide could care less if a liar like Bolton published a book. Trump has so much to try and hide, he definitely should try and block the book.
He squirms often, these days...cornering himself as he shows he's the worst president, ever.
Strangerland
Even Chinese CCP officials are openly proclaiming their support for Trump winning the election now. They figure his isolationism of America means they will only need to fight the cold war against America. They're worried that if Biden wins, he'll strengthen America's alliances, and China will have to fight the cold war against multiple countries.
You can be sure they'll be directing their online efforts to getting Trump elected in November.
BakabonPapa
Bolton is a creep...but this is probably true.
SuperLib
Ouch.
Strangerland
Is anyone stupid enough to think that Bolton isn't overwhelmingly speaking the truth here?
The man may have disgusting views. But no one except Trump - a proven liar - has claimed Bolton is a liar.
OriginalOne
Explains all of Trump’s public grandstanding without any real sanction enforcement against China. The West is soft towards the CCP.
Robert
People like Bolton are the reason American troops are always in danger. He is leaking classified info just to tarnish the President during an election year. I wonder how much the democrats paid him. he is disgrace to America. I also wonder if he is willing to publish classified information in a book then what other classified info he has spoken about as the national intel officer?
Blacklabel
Bolton himself has admitted lying in the past.
but we know that you want to believe him this time just because of what he has to say.
Even you dont believe its all true, as you had to use the qualifier of "overwhelmingly" to cover up for the parts you know he will lie about.
Strangerland
People who have read the book say that there isn't anything in it that is classified. Only a bunch of stuff that makes Trump look bad, which is why Trump is trying to block it under the pretense that there are classified secrets in it.
Strangerland
Yeah, because there exists a human on this planet who hasn't lied in their lives, right?
But if we compare credibility between Trump and Bolton, Bolton wins 101 times out of 100.
Blacklabel
How would these "people" know? and who are they to have already read an unpublished book?
Strangerland
You do realize the copies have already been shipped, and some people have already been able to read it right?
elephant200
TRUMP is a businessman , he can sell whatever he got in hands! Including American's "Dignity"! But many people just dont believe this!
bass4funk
I don't think so, he knows since day one, the crazy left have been trying to paint his admin. as dysfunctional from day one, but failing to realize their own dysfunctionality.
At first, they were all a bit wary of Trump pushing the button, but now...they know he's gutless and his bravado is just show. He's a total wimp. The fly on their respective walls would show early caution toward Trump, turning to ridicule and laughter.
That is absolutely not true, especially when a former WH staff has not been properly vetted and if Biden found this so urgent, he had enough time to make his case. He just wants to sell books right now and this is a great time for him to do so.
As if ANY Democrat President would stand by and approve of this without proper vetting. I still recall when Holder wouldn't turn over registered documents, the only AG in history to be held in contempt.
Yeah, some people might think that.
noriahojanen
Whatever Trump says or thinks, his course of (failing) action during the first term has benefited Beijing while disrespectful to America's staunch allies.
Strangerland
You do have to wonder why Trump didn't just pay Bolton off like everyone else. He must not have offered enough.
SuperLib
He could write a glowing review of Trump, calling him the best President ever, and get a ton of sales from pro-Trump fans. Or he could call Trump a buffoon and the other half of America would buy it.
Either way, he's covered. No motivation to lie when sales just go to the opposite base.
OssanAmerica
What would Bolton gain from releasing a book that contains lies? And if they are lies, why would Trump go so far as to try to block publication through the courts based on "security" issues?
Blacklabel
2 million dollars from the book publisher. How much do you think they would pay for only a biographical, fact based book?
Sneezy
Is Bolton part of that "crazy left"? If so, why did you say you love him and want him to be President?
sunfunbun
The conservative's lie as a rule, so whether Bolton's a liar or Trump is, isn't the issue. We know they're both liars. One is president, tho'.
I don't doubt any liar in the White House is a detriment to America, but Bolton is meaningless, it's the current crop of liars led by Trump who put America in danger, whether it is the troops, black lives, or every person in the country susceptible to the virus.
Strangerland
Ann Coulter could tell you.
And enough with your silly inference that pro-Republipocrite books don't sell.
funkymofo
Bolton is a lot of things, liar is not one of them. He supports everything he writes with copious notes and always has done.
FizzBit
They have been, and thanks to Bill Clinton; not that either party really matters when it comes to China.
As far as Bolton, well, he’s just selling a book. Anyone stupid enough to take it any farther than that has some emotional difficulties, as they let the media manipulate their convictions. The US gov, corporations, including media corporations are all in bed with China. Add to that just in the last few years, cheap Hollywood and Netflix movies made with Chinese money, and worst, documentaries from the likes of the History Channel and Nat Geo, all promoting China as some kind of progressive free society. Oh but NO, let’s dive deep into our daily diatribe of “I’m better than you cuz I hate Trump” meltdown.
cleo
It has been dysfunctional from day one.
lincolnman
Who could have imagined this a year ago. Last year, all the Trump supporters here were in love with that Great Conservative Icon Bolton. They said Trump was a genius for picking him as his National Security Advisor. He was the uber-Republican - an upholder of conservative ideology - a hero.
Now? He's nothing but scum, trash, and a cheap book-hawker peddling lies....
It's always so entertaining to watch the Trump supporters squirm and flip....
And is it any surprise Trump would engage his friends and business partners in China - the country he gives millions to in contracts? Where a little quid-pro-quo gets Ivanka 16 new trademarks?
Trump and Xi are BFFs - just like Trump and Putin...
Trump is just asking his two best friends for help in getting re-elected...
SuperLib
This is for you to tell us.
You're saying he would have gotten less than $2 million for a book praising Trump and slamming Democrats? How much less?
And naturally you're assuming the book would sell more as anti-Trump than pro-Trump How much more do you figure?
And doesn't the GOP pump out these kinds of books from Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity, etc. regularly with spectacular sales? Imagine the promotion alone from Trump and Hannity.
ulysses
Considering trump lies on twitter everyday, with easy to debunk conspiracy theories , I am sure he is not outraged about possible lies.
Being shown as corrupt might not weigh too much on him either, he probably takes that as a badge of honor.
However what rankles him most is being shown as stupid and ignorant , someone whose mind is not fully functional !!!
Bugle Boy of Company B
So... no Trump for next term? Thats good. And no Biden, either, right? He's not a good choice. Any palatable candidates?
ulysses
Trump of all people should know that NDAs even supplemented with $ 150,000 don't mean much.
Strangerland
Binary system means that 'not Trump' equals 'Biden'.
Strangerland
An NDA for a government position? That's not how it works. You can't just say stuff and have it be true, no matter how many times Dear Leader tries.
Blacklabel
yes, there are NDAs for government work. specifically related to security clearances and classified information.
Hmm, I dont see "book deal" here.
SuperLib
Imagine how much Bolton would make if he came out with a book debunking everything about the impeachment hearings.
Trump would wear it around his neck.
Blacklabel
You do know that case ended with Stormy having to pay Trump and with her Trump hating attorney going to prison for stealing from her and from disabled people right?
lincolnman
"Pleaded" - as in "begged"? Oh my.... "Please, please, President Xi my eternal friend, please interfere in our democracy to help me".....
That's not too embarrassing - he already said Colorado was on our southern border with Mexico...now that's embarrassing...
Donald Loves China...
BINGO!
If only the Senate Repubs had the guts to call you to testify John - but they knew what a hole that would put them in - who to believe, the Great Conservative Icon or Putin and Xi's Puppet...
Hope the ambulances are on standby at the WH...
bass4funk
I think so about the mayor of London as well, but then again, I don't live there and can't vote and could care less....
And alienate all the Trump haters, either way, he's going to have problems with sales overall.
And the other half wouldn't give it a blink.
Depending.....
Blacklabel
lawsuits to keep secret information from getting out?
Yep!
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-administration-spent-36m-on-records-lawsuits-last-year/
Clayton K. Char
What is the problem with these former government officials. Can't they keep their mouths shut? Trump gave Bolton an opportunity to lead but Bolton was incompetent and Trump ended up firing him. Bolton has an axe to grind. Is he still credible?
Brennan and Clapper have gone silent because they know that the Durham criminal investigation will end up in indictments.
Blacklabel
he could have simply agreed to testify voluntarily without requiring a court to force him. But he had a 2 million dollar book expected from him.
Raw Beer
I wonder what's in it for Bolton.
Serrano
Don't like either of them, so have at it. Mmm who would I want at a dinner party? Not them
Nope. You have to choose one of them. Think of it as voting for your president or congressman. If you don't vote you have no say whatsoever in how you are governed. Now here we have Trump, who has done more for all Americans including blacks in 3 years than Obama did in eight years. Or that warmonger Bolton. Choose wisely.
Seven months and three days until Biden is sworn in. It can't get here soon enough.
Two questions. What makes you think Biden would beat Trump besides the polls that say he is ahead? And what makes you think he would make a better president than Trump who has done more for all Americans including blacks in 3 years than Biden has done in 40 years of public office?
Ouch.
You can have a bunch of lies in a book AND have accurate classified info inserted into it.
Ouch.
bass4funk
Alleged and given Bolton's credibility concerning the WMD debacle who knows....
I think it's more embarrassing when you confuse "Corp. with Corpse"...
Biden as well.
What are you talking about, Schifty Schiff even opined about Bolton's credibility, he had a chance to testify and he didn't, that is totally on him.
As they escort Biden in....
Kaerimashita
More nonsense from another disaffected reject. Bolton has always been a loon and this is just him trying to make some money from his stint with Trump.
ulysses
You do know Stormy was ordered to pay for her defamation suit. Has Bolton filed one yet??
And her attorney stiffed Stormy and a few other clients , that why he went to prison, nothing to do with trump.
Let facts not get in your way!!
Serrano
Now I hear the House impeachment inquiry "missed other troubling actions." If this is true, then the Democrat-led House has let us down. They need to be voted out!
I wonder what's in it for Bolton.
$2 million comes to mind.
ulysses
Come on, trump being dumb is not classified information, everyone know it and has written about it.
If someone wrote a book that Obama was smart, bright and decent I am sure he would not sue them!!!
Blacklabel
the book is like 590 pages supposedly. Thats a lot of pages to complain "orangemanbad, he wouldnt let me start any wars"
The release of all these little made up salacious tidbits leads me to believe there is nothing of substance (other than classified information) in the book and the publisher realizes it wont be able to be published. Guess Bolton will be giving them a refund. Lets see!
lincolnman
Go for it Trump supporters!
Diss and insult your Great Conservative Icon Bolton all you want - the more the better....
Say he's inept for getting the Iraq War intel wrong, call him a liar and a shill, say he's only in it for the money...
Team Blue always loves it when Repubs war with each other...more entertaining than The Apprentice...
nishikat
Did Trump really want to be president? His life would be a lot better if he wasn't. Mine too since we would not have TrumpCare. But I thought his plan was to run and lose simply to promote his properties.
YESTERDAYTODAYTOMORROW
Here we go again...
Serrano
Did Trump really want to be president? His life would be a lot better if he wasn't.
Yep, he could have just retired and led the good life. But he couldn't stand to see what was happening to the country.
Mine too since we would not have TrumpCare
We still don't, no matter how many you say it.
Yooki Imada
Now it all makes sense why president Xi bowed to Trump and took all the accusations
by the chin. So Trump told them...."I will have more flexibility after the elections".
Imagined being called cheaters and still agree to sign a Trade deal with Trump, thereby paying Billions to the US for the first time..... while still Trump continues to call them
---- currency manipulators
---- imposing unfair advantage by dumping goods into the US while they charge tariffs
on US goods.---- investing billions in dirty money on Hunter Bidens company
----- trying to interfere in US elections by supporting US politicians like Hillary and
Feinstein.Serrano
Mine too since we would not have TrumpCare
We still don't, no matter how many times you say it, lol.
bass4funk
Sorry...Bolton did that all on his own
So he just wants to write the book because it makes him feel warm and fuzzy on the inside? You bought that line! ROFL!
We love it as well when we see Democrats and their socialist comrades push them so far left they fall off a cliff.
Sneezy
This is going to blow your mind, but Cricky doesn't in face have to choose which of them he wants to invite to dinner. There is no law that says that Japan Today Dot Com poster Cricky must choose either John Bolton or Donald Trump to have dinner at his house.
Wolfpack
Neither the Right nor the Left much care for John Bolton right now. The Left is upset he skipped the impeachment and instead monetized for himself their best chance to complete their coup. The Right thinks he is money grubbing backstabber. Fun for all. Ironically the Left will be buying up the book because it’s anti-Trump - thus enriching him.
lincolnman
And this article even misses some of the other good stuff...
Pompeo and other Trump staffers derided the president behind his back
*An excerpt published by the New York Times recounts an incident that occurred at Trump’s 2018 meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slipped Bolton a note about Trump that read, “He is so full of s**.”
All those "yes men"? They all think Trump is an imbecile.
So I guess Pompeo is now scum too, huh? How about Barr? Pence?
Talking about Pence, he'll no doubt do his disappearing act again - probably go hide in the bunker.
He and Bolton are old-school Repub buddies - go way back - to the time Trump was a Democrat....
"So Mr VP - is it true what Repub Conservative Icon Bolton said about the President asking China to interfere in our election?"
Pence would turn red and melt like butter. McConnell would do the same...
Mocheake
Sneezy
Too many people healthy and employed for his taste?
noriahojanen
A reaction of this kind from the White House may prove the allegation more truthful :)
Trump Signs Bill Condemning China’s Uighur Camps Shortly After Bolton Book Claims He Encouraged Them
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/06/17/trump-signs-bill-condemning-chinas-uighur-camps-shortly-after-bolton-book-claims-he-encouraged-them/
bass4funk
China "claims?" Yeah, ok...sure....they also claimed that the COVID-19 was started in the States as well, so.....
Mocheake
lincolnman
Read those four sentences and you say you're not insulting Bolton, then in the next sentence you call him a shyster and shill who's writing a book for money. Confused much?
Another Trump supporter above calls him a "liar"....another a "money grubbing backstabber"...
So I guess you think those are compliments...
Keep those compliments coming Repubs!
browny1
Just love it - GOP ratchetting up the auto-sarcophagic momentum.
Never witnessed so many books, commercials, statements etc by members of the brethren outing their master.
Bolton's blaster will come, if not exposing truth, then be a damning indictment of the instability, in-fighting, hatred of their own kind.
But we all know the where's smoke - fire bit, so the reckoning of Trumps connection with unsavory leaders to push his own agendas is surely more than a spark.
Just love it.
bass4funk
I don't think Mr. Bolton can hear me.
Not at all, you can be a number of things, I have a lot of adjectives for Obama, Pelosi, AOC and all the other so called socialist Democrats, but I think I'm not allowed to say them on JT.
Liberals complain all day, all the time 24/7 and 365 days a year.
zurcronium
Yet Trump hired him as his National Security Advisor. I thought Trump only hired the best.
nishikat
It's so funny that Trump thinks Finland is part of Russia.
Serrano
It's so funny that Trump thinks Finland is part of Russia.
And you believe that because Bolton said it? Hahahahahaha
lincolnman
Doesn't have to - the readers here can all read what you said about him...
Hmmmmm....so what do you call someone who you say writes lies just to get money for a book? Your fellow Trump supporters have called him all kinds of things to include a "liar", "far-right loon", and "backstabber"...
A Liberal here didn't call Bolton a "money grubbing backstabber" - just read up - a Trump supporter did... You agree with him?
Blacklabel
so Bolton can show us a pic of this supposed note in the book, right?
bass4funk
I have to care what one-sided lib think now? Lol
Opportunist
He’s called Democrats far worse.
No, they just called him every other adjective they could conjure up.
Blacklabel
By the way, you do know that Trump has BEEN to Finland and met their leader more than once right?
I think he can realize thats not Putin, but someone else.
lincolnman
So? He's been to Colorado too but still said it was one our southern border...
That's what's Alzheimer's does to the memory...
I'm sure your fellow Trump supporters here appreciate you calling them a Lib...
Confused again? I said TRUMP SUPPORTER'S called him a liar, far-right loon and backstabber - you agree with them?
Yooki Imada
In 2016 ---- it was colluding with Russia to steal the election.
In 2020 ---- it's colluding with China in his re-election.
In between --- it was quid pro quo in Ukraine.
They all sounded eerily similar. Their best and brightest have run out ideas.
Please come up with something more believable,
or be more creative ..... desperados, libs, deep state, and swamp dwellers.
bass4funk
Biden said, we must do everything November to beat “Biden.” I was like...wha....but then I thought, ok....
Hmmm...I was talking about liberals, nice try.
I already told you, he’s an opportunist. The man wants to sell books, I think you’re confused, relax.
Blacklabel
Bolton says Dems committed 'impeachment malpractice' and faces a bipartisan rebuke.
neither side likes or trusts him.
Bugle Boy of Company B
Yah, I get the whole binary system thing. What I'm asking is if there isn't another, more palatable option.
Blacklabel
Bolton blames House Democrats for being too fixated on the schedule with the Democratic presidential primary approaching, accusing them of playing "hysterical" games instead of running a serious investigation.
"If Trump deserved impeachment and conviction, the American public deserved a serious and thorough effort to justify the extraordinary punishment of removing an elected president from office," Bolton wrote. "That did not happen."
Bolton argued that even if he had been called to testify by the Senate, he is "convinced" that it would have made "no significant difference" to the outcome.
lincolnman
Thanks for agreeing with me...
Bad try - you said everyone on JT....you may want to apologize to them...
So you don't agree with them....OK. Maybe you ought to debate that with them....they seem really convinced he's a liar and a backstabber...
wtfjapan
$2 million comes to mind.\
lol chump change, just a fraction of what Trump makes for charging the taxpayer to visit his own golf courses.
wtfjapan
As they escort Biden in
lol id be more worried about Trump, words slurred, trouble drinking water and walking, little sleep bad diet and overweight, perfect recipient of a stroke or heart attack, also his father died of Alzheimer's which is know for its hereditary traits, Trump wont last another 4yrs hes a ticking time bomb, both mentally and physically
wtfjapan
I already told you, he’s an opportunist. The man wants to sell books, I think you’re confused, relax.
lol and Trump isnt , making money off the presidency , which is clearly against the constitution, stealing and convicted of charity fraud. relax Trump is a fraud proven and convicted
nishikat
Yes. Just like Trump was saying we should inject Mr. Clean to fight COVID-19. Proof:
And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside
(The Real Donald Trump)
Even if so it is 1000% worse under Trump, especially with TrumpCare.
Really. what has Trump accomplished? At least Obamacare (like it or hate it) was approved in the early part of the Obama WH. Trump could not even get TrumpCare started even though the Republicans had complete control. How are CV patients going to pay for treatment? (But injecting Mr. Clean is a cheap way to do it since you can get it at Dollar General for 99cents) Proof of Trump failure. What can expect from someone who thinks that Finland is part of Russia?