Former Trump administration National Security Advisor John Bolton wasted no time yesterday voicing sharp criticism of President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. In a pointed interview with CNN’s Kate Bolduan, Bolton drew historical comparisons between President-elect Donald Trump and the Roman Emperor Caligula. Bolton suggested that Trump’s selection of Representative Matt Gaetz as attorney general reflects a similar psychotic break for which the infamous emperor was known.
“I thought [Tulsi Gabbard] was the worst cabinet-level appointment in history until I heard about the Matt Gaetz appointment,” Bolton remarked, referring to another pick by Trump for a top position.
Bolton further elaborated on his concerns, likening Trump’s choice to Caligula’s notorious plan to nominate his horse to a high office in ancient Rome.
“This is like the legend of Caligula, the Roman emperor who wanted to nominate his horse as a Roman consul,” Bolton said, referencing a story often cited to illustrate the perceived degradation of Rome under Caligula’s rule. “You had to be a Roman senator at the time to be a consul, and it was intended to show how demeaned and degraded the Roman Senate had become.”
NEW: John Bolton loses it over Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz as AG, compares Trump to the Roman emperor Caligula who went insane.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 14, 2024
“Well I thought [Gabbard] was the worst cabinet level appointment in history until they then heard about the Matt Gaetz appointment.”
“This is… pic.twitter.com/WIuZY0PSDf
Bolton also suggested that the Senate should resoundingly reject the appointments of Gaetz and Gabbard.
“I think this vote should be a hundred to nothing against both of them,” he concluded, advocating for a strong bipartisan rebuke.
Caligula’s reign as emperor of Rome (37–41 AD) was filled with notorious scandals and outrageous acts that remain infamous today. His rule, though short, was marked by bizarre behavior, cruelty and a disregard for Roman traditions. Here are some of his most notable controversies:
-Declaring Himself a God: Caligula went so far as to proclaim himself a living god, ordering statues of himself placed in temples across the empire. He even attempted to have his statue erected in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, a plan that met intense resistance and nearly caused a revolt.
-Extravagant Spending: Despite inheriting a stable treasury, Caligula quickly depleted it on lavish games, banquets and grandiose building projects. He spent vast amounts on luxurious personal items, including gilded boats, elaborate costumes and elaborate public spectacles designed purely for his own enjoyment. This drained the Roman treasury and eventually led him to levy heavy taxes on the people.
-Incitement of Fear through Executions and Torture: Caligula had a reputation for arbitrary executions and cruel punishments, often for trivial reasons. He reportedly delighted in seeing his enemies suffer and executed high-ranking senators and officials for personal grievances or sheer amusement. In one instance, he had two senators tortured and executed simply because they had not praised him enthusiastically enough.
-Bizarre Acts of Madness: Caligula’s behavior became increasingly erratic, often displaying signs of what many historians have labeled “madness.” He reportedly enjoyed making his horse, Incitatus, a symbol of his power, going as far as to provide it with a marble stall, gold-encrusted bridles and (as stated above) attempting to make it a consul to mock the Senate.
-Public Humiliations of the Senate: Caligula often mocked the Senate, viewing its members with contempt. He humiliated senators publicly, forcing them to run alongside his chariot or perform humiliating acts. He would invite senators to elaborate feasts, only to mock their poverty and force them into unseemly acts.
-Incestuous Relations and Treatment of Family Members: Rumors circulated that Caligula engaged in incest with his sisters, especially Drusilla, whom he loved deeply and treated as his consort. Upon her death, he declared her a goddess and engaged in public mourning rituals that shocked many Romans. His erratic treatment of his remaining family members also included imprisoning and executing them if they opposed him.
-Indulgence in Cruel Entertainment: Caligula was notorious for his love of watching gladiator games but would sometimes intervene in sick ways. He was known to enjoy watching executions and tortures, sometimes ordering executions mid-event for his entertainment or personally overseeing gruesome spectacles.
-Military Misadventures: Caligula led a bizarre campaign to the English Channel, supposedly to invade Britain. Instead of proceeding with the invasion, he ordered his troops to “attack” the ocean, gathering seashells as “spoils of war,” which he later paraded in Rome as evidence of his victory.
Caligula’s reign came to an end in 41 AD when he was assassinated by members of his own guard, led by Cassius Chaerea, who could no longer tolerate his cruelty and erratic behavior. His death marked a turbulent chapter in the Julio-Claudian dynasty and left a legacy of infamy that would cement his place as one of Rome’s most notorious emperors.
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nd why would anyone care what John Bolton thinks? Obviously he is upset that he was not asked to come back!
I completely agree. Just another loser whiner.
If anyone is delusional it’s John Bolton, he suffers from Trump derangement syndrome (TDS)
Who gives a carp what disgruntled Warhawk John Bolton has to say and what the he!! is the point to listing all of Caligula’s eccentric behaviors! You call this journalism?
sit down and shut up…..go away…….
Intriguing: Caligula’s reign sounds very much like the last four years under Biden and Harris.
John Bolton is nothing more that a reprobate warmonger who cares nothing about our soldiers or the U.S. Anyone who listens to this moron is as bad as he is.
Bolton is a DISGRUNTLED FORMER EMPLOYEE and NEVER TRUMPER. Nobody should listen to what he has to say. He had NO PROBLEM with BYE DONE picking his lapdog, Merrick Garland as AG!
Sounds a bit like Obummer, SloJoe, and Kammie.
Sounds like Bolton has major TDS. Draining the swamp means getting rid of entrenched bureaucrats who only advance their agenda like Bolton, instead of that of the elected representatives chosen by the people. Bolton’s hair-on-fire take only proves these choices by Trump are exactly what we need.
The man is reflecting his internal desire. I thought he was one of the good guys but question his true intentions while serving under Trump. Why would anyone want to keep going with a government that has left the people for the elite globalist and industrial giants?
Caligula was a madman. He appointed his horse as a consul of the Roman Republic. He forgot to include Bolton as the asinus equi!
John Bolton is one of the worst Americans alive. During Trump’s first term, he was given a chance to prove himself, but Bolton botched the assignment. To take the spotlight off himself, Bolton turned into a backstabber. That’s gratitude for you. John is nothing less than a traitor to the America First and MAGA causes. He is completely untrustworthy and should never receive another government assignment. He might as well be a Democrat, as he fits that mold.
Did u miss the point that this nomination was an easy way for Trump to get rid of him? Gaetz
resigns from Congress and loses the.confirmation. Beautiful strategy!