Trump complains White House staff didn't tell him about Woodward book in newly released recording
Ahead of the release of an explosive new book about the White House from Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward, President Trump threw his staff under the bus, complaining that they did not tell him that Woodward had requested an interview.
The Washington Post on Tuesday released an audio recording of an 11-minute conversation between Trump and Woodward in early August, with Trump calling Woodward after finding out that the manuscript for Fear: Trump in the White House had been finished. An excerpt from Woodward's book released Tuesday includes the claim that White House aides routinely hide papers from the president so that he doesn't sign them, reports that Chief of Staff John Kelly believes Trump is "unhinged," and quotes the president as saying his light denigration of neo-Nazis was his "biggest" mistake.
In the recording, Woodward says that he requested an interview with Trump through several White House officials, including White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, but that nobody ever got back to him. At one point, Conway comes into the room, and Trump asks her directly, "Why didn't you tell me?" Her response is not audible, but she eventually gets on the phone with Woodward herself and says that she "put in the request" and it was rejected. "I guess I can bring it right to the president next time," she admits. Trump later says Conway "should've come to me."
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.
Woodward also tells Trump that he got in touch with White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah about an interview, prompting Trump to respond, "I don't speak to Raj." Trump also contradicts himself by conceding that Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) did mention Woodward's book to him, despite previously asserting that "nobody" had told him about the book.
Trump ends the call by saying the book will be "very inaccurate." You can listen to the full recording of his conversation with Woodward at The Washington Post.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'A new era of hurricanes'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
How Britain's demographic is changing
A 50-year record population increase was fuelled by greater migration
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The story of Japanese jeweller Tasaki
The Blend A revival in the use of pearls in fashion and jewellery design places heritage brand Tasaki centre stage
By Felix Bischof Published
-
Trump kept up with Putin, sent Covid tests, book says
Speed Read The revelation comes courtesy of a new book by Bob Woodward
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Liz Cheney campaigns with Harris in Wisconsin
Speed Read The pair does not agree on much politically, but they share an anti-Trump stance
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Harris visit storm-hit North Carolina, Georgia
Speed Read President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took separate tours of the south to view the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jack Smith filing details Jan. 6 case against Trump
Speed Read The special counsel's newly unsealed brief argues Trump is not immune from prosecution and gives new details on his efforts to overturn the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published