Michael Waltz, serving as the national security adviser to Trump, finds himself under scrutiny from both his former and current allies. Despite his efforts to gain favor with Trump supporters, he has not fully convinced them, while simultaneously alienating some of his past Republican colleagues.
At a January gathering hosted by Stephen K. Bannon for Breitbart's Washington bureau chief, Matt Boyle, Waltz was a notable guest among the right-wing media figures. This event was part of a strategy to bolster his standing within the new administration, which was still in its early days. Waltz faces a dilemma common among Trump aides: being perceived as too aligned with Trump by traditional Republicans, yet not sufficiently so by the president's staunchest supporters.
Amidst his involvement in brokering a cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia, there is speculation among Trump's circle about Waltz's future in the administration. Some believe his loyalty to Trump might secure his position, unlike three of his predecessors. Ezra Cohen, who worked on the National Security Council and in the Pentagon during Trump’s first term, noted Waltz's understanding of the chain of command as an advantage over previous advisers like H.R. McMaster and John Bolton.
Waltz's stance was evident when he publicly criticized Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky following a heated exchange with Trump. On CNN, Waltz described Zelensky as "incredibly disrespectful" and questioned his commitment to peace. He further likened Zelensky to an "ex-girlfriend" on Breitbart Radio, suggesting a reluctance to move forward.