Conservative journalist Geraldo Rivera drew attention this weekend after criticizing President Donald Trump in a series of pointed remarks on social media. The longtime television personality, known for his often outspoken takes, weighed in on Trump’s legal battles and his approach to dealing with political opponents.
Rivera began his commentary on X by addressing what he called “lawfare” against Trump. He argued that the president had been right to challenge certain legal actions that he viewed as politically motivated.
“President Trump was obviously right to challenge and expose fake cases, especially the Mar-a-Lago documents, and New York State’s enormously inflated civil judgment about the value of his property. The Supreme Court made short work of the charges regarding January 6, and every case against him has been dismissed or is falling apart,” Rivera wrote.
However, after defending Trump on that front, Rivera turned his attention to the president’s current handling of those he considers adversaries. Citing the recent FBI raid of Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, Rivera argued that Trump was making a serious mistake.
“Given his success in battling Lawfare, he is wrong to pursue those he perceives as out to get him. He should not use the enormous power of the federal government to get retribution,” Rivera said. “It is ultimately lame and self-defeating. John Bolton is not worth Trump behaving like an arrogant, unchecked, narcissistic, spoiled bully.”
The criticism marked a sharp rebuke from Rivera, who has at times defended Trump while also voicing frustration with aspects of his leadership style. His remarks underscored the ongoing divide among conservatives over how Trump wields influence, both legally and politically, as he seeks to return to the White House.
Trump has long maintained that the investigations and charges brought against him were politically driven. Many of his supporters have echoed that view, framing the cases as attempts to undermine his political career. The term “lawfare” has become a rallying cry among conservatives who believe the justice system has been unfairly weaponized against the president.
Rivera’s warning, however, suggested that even among Trump’s allies and sympathizers, there are concerns about his tendency to focus on personal battles. By calling Trump’s approach “self-defeating,” Rivera implied that the strategy could backfire politically, especially as the president campaigns for another term.
Whether Rivera’s critique will influence Trump’s base is unclear, but his comments reflect a broader debate within the conservative movement over how far Trump should go in seeking retribution against critics and allies.