In new book, Comey says Trump lies about everything, is obsessed with Russia dossier


Former FBI Director James Comey writes in his forthcoming book A Higher Loyalty that President Trump is "untethered to the truth" and built a "cocoon of alternative reality that he was busily wrapping around all of us."
Comey said when he first met Trump, he had "flashbacks" to when he prosecuted members of the mob, and Trump lies about "all things, large and small." Comey also writes that Trump is fixated on the dossier compiled by former intelligence officer Christopher Steele, which includes unconfirmed allegations regarding Trump and Russian prostitutes.
He said Trump gave several explanations as to why it was impossible for him to ever have been with the women, and told Comey it bothered him to think there was "even a one percent chance" first lady Melania Trump thought it was true. Comey thought this was a strange thing to say, writing, "In what kind of marriage, to what kind of man, does a spouse conclude there is only a 99 percent chance her husband didn't do that?"
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.
Comey also dedicates space in the book to the size of Trump's hands ("smaller than mine, but did not seem unusually so") and his regrets over how he announced in July 2016 that Hillary Clinton would not be prosecuted over her emails. A Higher Loyalty is out Tuesday.
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
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Homework: Geoff Dyer brings 'a whole world' to life in his memoir
The Week Recommends Author writes about his experiences with 'humour and tenderness'
-
What happens if Israel attacks Iran?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Israel is ‘ready to strike’ and Tehran has plans for counterattacks against the US as nuclear talks appear deadlocked
-
Giffords Circus: Laguna Bay – 'a special kind of warmth and magic'
The Week Recommends New big-top show, set in 1950s America, boasts spectacular acts and 'star attraction' Tweedy the Clown
-
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
-
Trump hits Africa, Middle East with new travel ban
Speed Read The travel ban bars visitors from 12 countries and restricts entry from seven
-
Elon Musk slams Trump's 'pork-filled' signature bill
speed read 'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,' Musk posted on X