John Bolton Reveals He ‘Always Worried Trump Would’ Steal Teddy Roosevelt’s Peace Prize From White House

John Bolton, who served as National Security Advisor during President Donald Trump’s first term, said he “always worried” that Trump would try to abscond with a Nobel Peace Prize on display at the White House.

The president is obsessed with the award, which last year was given to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, despite Trump publicly lobbying for the honor for himself. After the U.S. invaded Venezuela and deposed President Nicolas Maduro, Trump was asked about the prospect of Machado leading the country.

“She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect,” he responded.

On Monday’s OutFront, Erin Burnett played a clip of Trump being asked if he would install Machado as Venezuelan leader if she gives him her Nobel when they meet on Thursday.

“Well, I have to speak to her,” Trump replied. “I’m gonna have to speak to her. She might be involved in some aspect of it. I will have to speak to her. I think it’s very nice that she wants to come in. And that’s what I understand the reason is… I can’t think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel prize more than me. And I don’t want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars.”

Burnett responded by noting that the prize “is not transferable” before turning to Bolton for his reaction, which included Bolton’s concern that Trump would steal the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to President Theodore Roosevelt.

“Look, it’s always all about Trump,” Bolton said. “He cares less about Venezuela than he does the prize. And by the way, she can give him the medallion and still keep the prize, if that’s what he wants. Theodore Roosevelt’s Nobel medallion hangs on the wall of the Roosevelt room in the White House. I’ve always worried Trump would grab that if he can’t get another one. She could probably find a replacement somewhere.”

Roosevelt received the Peace Prize in 1906 after he helped broker an end to the Russo-Japanese War via the Treaty of Portsmouth, which was signed in New Hampshire the previous year.

Bolton, who backed Trump’s invasion of Venezuela, criticized the president for leaving the rest of Maduro’s government in place.