John Bolton May Launch Presidential Bid to Stop Trump

Donald Trump could face a challenge for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination from his own former national security adviser John Bolton, who condemned the ex-president's call to "terminate" the Constitution on Monday.

Bolton said he would "absolutely" consider jumping into the presidential race to prevent Trump from winning the GOP nomination during an appearance on NBC News. He said his potential run would be motivated by Trump's widely condemned remarks on the U.S. Constitution last week.

Trump sparked backlash Friday night when he wrote a Truth Social post ranting about alleged "Massive Fraud" from the Democratic Party he believes was exposed in the "Twitter Files," a series of internal conversations allegedly showing how Twitter suppressed a New York Post article about Hunter Biden's laptops.

"A massive fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution," Trump wrote. "Our great 'Founders' did not want, and would not condone, False & Fraudulent Elections."

The remarks were met with staunch criticism, with legal experts describing his post as "disqualifying."

Bolton, on NBC News, called on other potential Republican presidential candidates to offer a strong rebuke of his post. And if they do not, Bolton said he would consider running himself.

"I'd like to see Shermanesque statements from all the potential candidates," Bolton said. "If I don't see that, I'm going to seriously consider getting in."

Presidential candidates cannot simply support the Constitution, the framework of the United States government, but must also oppose anyone who would "undercut" it, Bolton said, describing Trump's remarks as "un-American."

He said he believes that "nearly 95 percent" of Republican primary voters believe the Constitution is more important than Trump.

"Most Republican elected officials in Washington disagree with Trump on this, but they're intimidated," he said. "This is the time where there's strength in numbers. The more people who tell the truth—the easier it is for everyone else."

Trump Faces Growing Backlash Against Call to 'Terminate' Constitution

Bolton, who served as Trump's national security adviser from April 2018 until September 2019, joined the growing number of individuals who have criticized Trump over the Truth Social post in recent days. Many Republicans joined Democrats in opposing his remarks.

"Suggesting the termination of the Constitution is not only a betrayal of our Oath of Office, it's an affront to our Republic," tweeted Senator Lisa Murkowski, a centrist who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.

Mike Lawler, a New York Republican who narrowly won a suburban swing district outside of New York City during the midterms, said he "obviously" does not support Trump's statement during an appearance on CNN on Sunday.

"The Constitution is set for a reason, to protect the rights of every American. I certainly don't endorse that language or that sentiment," he said.

Trump hit back against the criticism in a Truth Social post on Monday, dismissing media coverage of the controversy as "misinformation and lies," while continuing to repeat the baseless claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen or fraudulent.

"SIMPLY PUT, IF AN ELECTION IS IRREFUTABLY FRAUDULENT, IT SHOULD GO TO THE RIGHTFUL WINNER OR, AT A MINIMUM, BE REDONE. WHERE OPEN AND BLATANT FRAUD IS INVOLVED, THERE SHOULD BE NO TIME LIMIT FOR CHANGE!" Trump wrote.

Newsweek reached out to Trump's office for comment.