Trump and defenders say Woodward's book is untrue. They also say it doesn't matter even if it is true.


As President Trump and his surrogates race to discredit a new book by investigative journalist Bob Woodward, several lines of attack have emerged — and they don't all align.
First, the White House called the book "nothing more than fabricated stories, many by former disgruntled employees." Trump himself tweeted late Tuesday that it was "already discredited," saying with no evidence that it relied on "so many lies and phony sources," while other officials like White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis also chimed in to call it "fiction."
Curiously, while alleging the book is filled with made-up anecdotes, Trump is also reportedly trying to figure out who in his inner circle spoke to Woodward. Trump suggested changing libel laws in order to fend off books like Fear, though there's no reason he can't sue Woodward for libel if he believes the veteran journalist maliciously published false and defamatory statements.
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.
Those outside the administration, however, aren't crying "fake news." Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who reportedly spoke with Woodward and mentioned the book to Trump, suggested the ends justified the means. Whether or not Woodward's book is accurate, he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, Trump's "fate will be determined by the results he achieves for the American people, not by a book about the process." Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci went even further: "My guess is that elements of it are true," he told CNN. "So what?"
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies
Speed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats