19, Trump disregarded the significance of the massive U.S. Woodward describes “an administrative coup d’etat” and a “nervous breakdown” of the executive branch, with senior aides conspiring to pluck official papers from the president’s desk so he couldn’t see or sign them.Īgain and again, Woodward recounts at length how Trump’s national security team was shaken by his lack of curiosity and knowledge about world affairs and his contempt for the mainstream perspectives of military and intelligence leaders.Īt a National Security Council meeting Jan. Learning of the appointment of Mueller in May 2017, Trump groused, “Everybody’s trying to get me” - part of a venting period that shellshocked aides compared to Richard Nixon’s final days as president. Woodward depicts Trump’s anger and paranoia about the Russia inquiry as unrelenting, at times paralyzing the West Wing for days. His account is also based on meeting notes, personal diaries and government documents. Woodward writes that his book draws from hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand participants and witnesses that were conducted on “deep background,” meaning the information could be used but he would not reveal who provided it. The dramatic and previously untold scene is recounted in “Fear,” a forthcoming book by Bob Woodward that paints a harrowing portrait of the Trump presidency, based on in-depth interviews with administration officials and other principals.

“This thing’s a goddamn hoax,” Trump erupted at the start of a 30-minute rant that finished with him saying, “I don’t really want to testify.” In the White House residence, Dowd peppered Trump with questions about the Russia investigation, provoking stumbles, contradictions and lies until the president eventually lost his cool.

27 the president’s then-personal attorney staged a practice session to make his point. John Dowd was convinced that President Donald Trump would commit perjury if he talked to special counsel Robert Mueller.

Bob woodwards books