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.
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein