When Fox News and CNN both agree that Donald Trump has done something very badly, it means he’s really messed up. On both networks, Trump’s National Security Advisor John Bolton got asked some tough questions by both CNN’s Jake Tapper and Fox News’ Chris Wallace.
When asked what was achieved in the President's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, National security adviser @AmbJohnBolton tells @jaketapper on #CNNSOTU "no deal is better than a bad deal" https://t.co/uDjtVQjPUX
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) March 3, 2019
On Fox News, Wallace called the summit between Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un a “failed summit.”
‘Following the failed summit in Vietnam, where does diplomacy stand between the United States and North Korea?’
Bolton disagreed that it was a failed summit despite Trump coming back to the U.S. empty-handed. He insisted the meeting was a success because Trump “protected American interests.”
‘I don’t agree at all that it was a failed summit. I think the obligation of the president of the United States is to defend and advance American national security interest. And I think he did that by rejecting a bad deal and by trying again to persuade Kim Jong Un to take the big deal that really could make a difference for North Korea.’
Via @AlterNet: Fox News’ Chris Wallace corners John Bolton over Trump’s ‘failed summit’ with Kim Jong-un https://t.co/54uQ6rhyve pic.twitter.com/dfBVQCzcDu
— bɹǝʇ ɟnɔʞ!ʇoן (@crewislife) March 3, 2019
On CNN, Jake Tapper was no less forgiving, asking Bolton who actually benefitted from the summit.
‘Did this summit end up helping North Korea more than the United States?’
Bolton seemed shaken but offered the exact same defense as he had with Wallace.
‘No, I think it was unquestionably a success for the United States because the president protected, defended American interests.’
.@AmbJohnBolton on Venezuela: “I’d like to see as broad a coalition as we can put together to replace Maduro”@jaketapper: Do you not see US support for other dictators around the world undermines the credibility of your argument?
Bolton: “No, I don’t think it does." #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/KxzYa7SNOH
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) March 3, 2019
In the end, Bolton’s weak excuses prove nothing. Trump, Mr. “Art of the Deal,” was unable to gain anything from the wasted trip to Vietnam. No matter how those in his administration try to spin it now, it was a failed summit. No one should let them off the hook for that, especially considering all of Trump’s touting of his success with North Korea.
Fox News' Chris Wallace Grills John Bolton Over Trump's Attacks On Media https://t.co/8TymSPiAjS
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) August 5, 2018
Featured image screenshot via YouTube