Trump told Sessions 'I'm f--ked' after special counsel was appointed, Mueller says

Donald Trump.
(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President Trump flipped out when Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed, according to Mueller's report.

The redacted version of the report released on Thursday outlines Trump's response to Mueller's appointment in 2017. It says that when then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions broke the news to Trump, the president "slumped back in his chair and said, 'Oh my god. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I'm f--ked.'"

The report says Trump then "lambasted" Sessions for allowing Mueller to be appointed, asking, "How could you let this happen, Jeff?" He also told Sessions that "you were supposed to protect me."

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Trump additionally fumed that "everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels it ruins your presidency. It takes years and years and I won't be able to do anything. This is the worst thing that ever happened to me."

Trump asked his White House counsel, Don McGahn, to have Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein fire Mueller, according to the report, but McGahn refused. The report ultimately does not reach a conclusion about whether Trump obstructed justice.

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Brendan Morrow

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.