Trump’s team is standing up for him and it’s incredible.
Business magnate Elon Musk has fired back at former National Security Adviser John Bolton after Bolton criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Rep. Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. During an appearance on Meet the Press NOW, Bolton vehemently opposed Gaetz’s nomination, calling it “the worst nomination for a Cabinet position in American history.”
Musk, who is no stranger to speaking his mind, quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to counter Bolton’s remarks. Referring to Bolton as a “staggeringly dumb warmonger,” Musk suggested that Bolton’s criticism was a positive sign for Gaetz. “If Bolton’s against him, that’s a great sign! Gaetz will be great,” Musk wrote. He doubled down with another post, advising, “Just do the opposite of whatever Bolton recommends,” adding a playful “tears of joy” emoji for emphasis.
Bolton’s objections went beyond mere political differences. He labeled Gaetz as “totally incompetent” for the role and accused him of possessing “moral turpitude.” Bolton further urged Senate Republicans to stand firm, asserting that confirming Gaetz would put them at risk politically. He even suggested that the Senate leadership should demand the withdrawal of Gaetz’s nomination to avoid jeopardizing Republican unity.
In addition to Gaetz, Bolton also criticized Trump’s other high-profile nominee, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump had chosen for Director of National Intelligence. According to Bolton, both individuals were unfit for the positions they were nominated for and should be rejected outright by the Senate.
Gaetz, who had just been re-elected to the House of Representatives after serving since 2017, responded to Bolton’s attacks with his trademark humor. He jokingly remarked, “We’ll mark John down as a ‘maybe,'” signaling that the criticism from establishment figures like Bolton only strengthened his resolve.
For many conservatives, Musk’s backing of Gaetz represents a refreshing shift away from the Washington establishment’s status quo. As Republicans look to build momentum in the post-Trump era, figures like Musk, who challenge the conventional political narrative, continue to make waves in the ongoing battle for the future of the GOP.