Bolton: Missing Epstein Files Fuel Trump Presidency Doubts

Bolton Analyzes Trump’s State of the Union and Emerging Scandals

In a recent appearance on The Trump Report, former National Security Advisor John Bolton offered a critical assessment of Donald Trump’s political standing, focusing on his recent State of the Union address and ongoing controversies surrounding the Epstein files.

State of the Union: A Performance, But Will It Resonate?

Bolton characterized Donald Trump’s lengthy State of the Union address as a “performance” that, while not as disastrous as it could have been, may not have a lasting impact on public opinion. He noted Trump’s ability to stay on message regarding economic issues, a rarity for the former president, and acknowledged the positive optics of bringing in the U.S. men’s hockey team and awarding Congressional Medals of Honor. However, Bolton expressed skepticism about the speech’s ability to sway voters, particularly concerning economic anxieties.

“The real question is… whether even the State of the Union message will have a material effect,” Bolton stated. “My guess is probably not. But at least from his point of view, he didn’t make things worse.”

He pointed to polling data, including an AP Norc poll showing only 39% approval for Trump’s handling of the economy, as evidence that average Americans are not feeling the strength Trump proclaims. Bolton argued that Trump missed an opportunity to directly address concerns about inflation and job security, issues that weigh heavily on voters’ minds.

“Average people saying well, what does this tell me about inflation? What does this tell me about job security? What does this tell me about how my day-to-day living is going to be affected? No, I don’t think he did a very good job on that.”

Bolton warned that hardening opinions before the November elections mean that attempts to persuade voters too late in the campaign cycle are unlikely to succeed.

The Specter of Investigations and a “Self-Inflicted Wound”

The conversation shifted to the potential repercussions if Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives, a scenario House Speaker Mike Johnson described as potentially the “end of the Trump presidency.” Bolton agreed that losing the House majority would likely halt legislative accomplishments and, more critically, would trigger extensive investigations into the Trump administration by Democratic committees.

“If Democrats get control of the House, they will control all of the committees, and every committee will begin an investigation of the Trump administration within that committee’s jurisdiction,” Bolton explained. He anticipates impeachment proceedings and a spotlight on alleged public corruption.

Bolton also touched upon the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein files, highlighting the Justice Department’s failure to publicly release all relevant documents. He noted that 90 out of 325 FBI witness records in the DOJ’s Epstein files do not appear on the department’s website, including three interviews related to accusations against Donald Trump from his youth.

“It just feeds suspicions… that he is hiding something,” Bolton asserted. “So, if he’s not, then it’s certainly a self-inflicted wound. But it also, I think, points to incompetence at Justice… and that’s not going to be helpful to Trump either.” He questioned why, if Trump has nothing to hide, the Justice Department is not transparently releasing all documents, suggesting it reinforces suspicions of a cover-up, whether personal or on behalf of associates.

Ukraine Policy: A Pattern of Missteps

Bolton also addressed the U.S. abstention on a UN General Assembly resolution for a lasting peace and ceasefire in Ukraine, calling it a “big mistake” and “unhelpful.” He criticized the administration’s excuse that certain language critical of Russia was problematic, stating, “which happens to be accurate.”

He further elaborated on what he sees as a consistent pattern of failed U.S. policy towards Ukraine across multiple administrations, including Obama, Trump, and Biden. Bolton specifically criticized the Trump administration’s handling of targeting sensitivities, suggesting it prioritized “protecting Russian sensitivities” over American interests.

“I just think it’s the sort of thing you don’t do in a direct way like that. I think common sense ought to prevail on both sides. But it’s another example of just how misdirected the Trump administration is on Ukraine.”

Bolton expressed concern about Trump potentially withdrawing from diplomacy and, more importantly, from providing crucial intelligence and military support to Ukraine. He warned that such a withdrawal would be a “real problem” for Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.

Epstein Files and Transparency Concerns

The discussion delved deeper into the missing Epstein files, with Bolton expressing disbelief at the repeated “coincidences” of documents not being released. He questioned the leadership within the Justice Department and the White House regarding the handling of these disclosures.

“It’s hard when the information comes out in piecemeal fashion to try and understand it fully,” Bolton remarked. He anticipates that if Democrats gain control of the House, there will be increased oversight and public hearings demanding explanations for the alleged mishandling of public disclosure, particularly concerning the Epstein files.

Amanda Roberts, sister-in-law of a prominent Epstein victim, was quoted emphasizing that the world is not moving on from the Epstein scandal and that the administration’s treatment of survivors is visible. Bolton agreed that the issue persists and may continue to be a detriment to Trump’s electoral prospects, especially when contrasted with accountability seen in other countries.

“For the good of the Justice Department and confidence of people in the rule of law, you know, if they don’t do something to change it, this issue will persist certainly through the elections to Trump’s detriment,” he concluded.

Source: This will be the ‘end’ of the Trump presidency | John Bolton (YouTube)