Michael Wolff: Trump has no credibility and White House staff all say 'he is like a child'
'He does not read, he does not listen. So he’s like a pinball just shooting off the sides'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The author of a tell-all book on Donald Trump’s first year in the White House has given his first interview since explosive excerpts emerged this week.
Michael Wolff, speaking to the Today show, said the US President has "less credibility than perhaps anybody who has ever walked on Earth at this point".
He also claimed “everyone” on the US president's staff gave the same description of Mr Trump – “they all say he is like a child”.
“And what they mean by that is he has a need for immediate gratification, it’s all about him, he just has to be satisfied in the moment,” he told Savannah Guthrie.
Extracts from Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House have already made headlines around the world, thanks in part to the contributions of Steve Bannon, President Trump’s former chief strategist.
Mr Wolff said Mr Trump had tried to claim the book was about Steve Bannon. But setting the record straight, he said: “Let me put this very forthrightly, this book is not about Steve Bannon, this book is about Donald Trump.”
“[Mr Trump] does not read, he does not listen. So he’s like a pinball just shooting off the sides,” he added.
After the first excerpts were leaked, the former real estate mogul insisted Mr Bannon had little to do with his victorious campaign and “has nothing to do with me or my Presidency,” adding: “When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.”
Mr Trump, up until Wednesday, had been complimentary of his former strategist, saying in October that the two “have a very good relationship” and had been friends for “a long time.”
In the book, Mr Bannon also speaks critically of Mr Trump’s daughter and White House adviser, Ivanka, calling her “dumb as a brick.”
“A little marketing savvy and has a look but as far as understanding actually how the world works and what politics is and what it means – nothing,” he is quoted saying.
Mr Trump's attorney Charles Harder sent a letter demanding Mr Bannon "cease and desist" from speaking to author Mr Wolff for his book, excerpts have also revealed.
The threat of legal action was reportedly intended to prevent Mr Bannon disclosing confidential information harmful to the Trump White House.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments