Bolton: Midterms mark beginning of the end for Trump's GOP grip

John Bolton, former national security adviser to Donald Trump, said the US midterm results mark "the beginning of the end" for Trump's grip on the Republican Party, in a FRANCE 24 interview. Democrats regained control of both the House and Senate, the GOP's worst showing since 1974. Bolton argued Trump focused on personal projects rather than voter concerns like cost of living, saying Republicans now see Trump as self-interested. He rejected Trump's claim that his absence from the ballot caused losses, noting Trump urged voters to treat him as if he were running. Bolton also addressed Vice President JD Vance's tweet blaming the Iran war for the defeat, calling it a bid to break with Trump and appeal to isolationists ahead of 2028. He suggested Vance aims to position himself as more aligned with the MAGA base than the president.