Fire and Fury author Michael Wolff explains how Trump's cease and desist letter is childlike

Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House author Michael Wolff said of the 200 interviews he conducted for his new tell-all book, "the one description that everyone gave, that everyone has in common, they all say [President Trump] is like a child."
It is hardly the only explosive comment Wolff has made, nor is it the only one likely to get under Trump's skin. Trump's lawyers have gone as far as to send Wolff's publisher, Henry Holt and Co., a cease and desist letter. Henry Holt responded by bumping the book's publication date to Friday.
Speaking on Today, Wolff explained that people in Trump's orbit observe the president's need for "immediate gratification. It's all about him." Wolff pointed to the cease and desist letter as an example, noting that he has sources in the White House saying "'we should not be doing this, this is not smart.' And he just insists. He just has to be satisfied in the moment."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wolff offered another descriptor of the president that also might sound familiar to parents of young children. "This man does not read. Does not listen," said Wolff. "He's like a pinball, just shooting off the sides." Watch below. Jeva Lange
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
New FBI Director Kash Patel could profit heavily from foreign interests
The Explainer Patel holds more than $1 million in Chinese fashion company Shein
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - February 28, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - February 28, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - February 28, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - February 28, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Trump seeks to end New York's congestion pricing
Speed Read The MTA quickly filed a lawsuit to stop the move
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump officials try to reverse DOGE-led firings
Speed Read Mass firings by Elon Musk's team have included employees working on the H5N1 bird flu epidemic and US nuclear weapons programs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames Ukraine for war after US-Russia talks
Speed Read The US and Russia have agreed to work together on ending the Ukraine war — but President Trump has flipped America's approach
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Musk's DOGE seeks access to IRS, Social Security files
Speed Read If cleared, the Department of Government Efficiency would have access to tax returns, bank records and other highly personal information about most Americans
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Senate confirms RFK Jr. as health secretary
Speed Read The noted vaccine skeptic is now in charge of America's massive public health system
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump lays out plans for broad 'reciprocal' tariffs
Speed Read Tariffs imposed on countries that are deemed to be treating the US unfairly could ignite a global trade war and worsen American inflation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Top US prosecutors resign rather than drop Adams case
speed read The interim US attorney for the Southern District and five senior Justice Department officials quit following an order to drop the charges against Mayor Eric Adams
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Senate confirms Gabbard as intelligence chief
Speed Read The controversial former Democratic lawmaker, now Trump loyalist, was sworn in as director of national intelligence
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published