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
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.
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department
-
Cuomo announces third-party run for NYC mayor
Speed Read He will go up against progressive Democratic powerhouse Zohran Mamdani and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams
-
Secret Service 'failures' on Trump shooting
Speed Read Two new reports detail security breakdowns that led to attempts on the president's life
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl
-
Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention
Speed Read This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters
-
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
Speed Read He accused Brazil's current president of leading a 'witch hunt' against far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro
-
AI scammer fakes Rubio messages to top officials
Speed Read The unknown individual mimicked Rubio in voice and text messages sent to multiple government officials
-
SCOTUS greenlights Trump's federal firings
speed read The Trump administration can conduct mass federal firings without Congress' permission, the Supreme Court ruled