John Bolton Teases Ukraine Scandal Details In Upcoming Book, Sparks Online Backlash
John Bolton faced backlash on social media Monday night after he teased what he’s written about the Ukraine scandal in his upcoming book about working as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser.
Bolton, during an appearance at Duke University in North Carolina, reportedly declined to talk about Trump’s Ukraine misconduct — which saw the president impeached by the Democratic-controlled House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress and later acquitted by the GOP-controlled Senate.
Instead, Bolton told the audience that readers will “love Chapter 14” of his memoir slated for a March 17 release.
BREAKING: John Bolton spoke publicly for the first time since the impeachment trial.
He was asked whether he thought Trump's July 25 call was “perfect.” Bolton says “you'll love Chapter 14” of his book.#Hardballpic.twitter.com/FBr4jQIiDf— Hardball (@hardball) February 18, 2020
Trump’s phone call with Ukraine’s president — in which he reportedly pressured him to announce an investigation into potential Democratic 2020 rival Joe Biden in exchange for withheld military aid — was just the “sprinkles on the ice cream sundae,” added Bolton, who also expressed concern that the Trump White House would try to censor his writing.
The hashtag #BoycottBoltonsBook trended on Twitter as critics, including Andy Lassner, the executive producer of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” accused Bolton of putting “money before country” for not speaking out in public earlier.
Bolton remained silent before, during and after the Senate voted against allowing him to testify as a key witness during Trump’s trial.
“Chapter 14 isn’t going to save our country, and you blew your chance to look like any sort of coy hero,” wrote author Allison Winn Scotch.
Money before country.
The @AmbJohnBolton way.
That’s his legacy.— andy lassner (@andylassner) February 18, 2020