Inside Bob Woodward's Alleged Revelations About Donald Trump
Investigative journalist Bob Woodward's new book is aptly titled Rage, because he minces no words when it comes to President Donald Trump. According to CNN, the forthcoming book is based on 18 separate on-the-record interviews Woodward conducted with the president between December 2019 and July 2020. The book is set to be released Sept. 15, 2020, per publishing company Simon & Schuster. Ahead of its release, CNN obtained both the book and copies of some of its audio interviews.
Woodward reportedly makes several alarming revelations about Trump in his book. Within its pages, the president supposedly admits to downplaying COVID-19; makes disparaging remarks about members of the U.S. military; and even denies that he's trying to better understand why a Black person in America might feel anger or pain. With accusations like that, it looks like Trump might have some 'splainin' to do. Keep reading to learn more about the shocking claims Woodward recounts in Rage.
Bob Woodward says Donald Trump downplayed COVID-19
As reported by CNN, investigative journalist Bob Woodward claims in his new book, Rage, that real estate titan turned President Donald Trump received many early warnings about COVID-19, but actually admitted to downplaying the virus instead. It's alleged in the book that on Jan. 28, 2020, Trump received a "jarring" warning about the coronavirus from National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, including that it would be the "biggest national security threat." Matt Pottinger, O'Brien's deputy, reportedly also backed up the claim, noting that the virus could be as bad as the 1918 pandemic, an illness that claimed 675,000 American lives and 50 million worldwide.
Even with intel like that, Trump allegedly admitted to Woodward during an interview on March 19, 2020, that he preferred to downplay the virus to the American people, per The New York Times. "I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic," he reportedly said.
Bob Woodward claims Donald Trump slams the U.S. military
According to two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward, President Donald Trump had some pretty nasty things to say about generals in the U.S. military. According to excerpts from Woodward's new book, Rage (per CNN), an aide overheard Trump yell the words: "my f***ing generals are a bunch of pussies," purportedly because they weren't willing to prioritize trade deals over alliances.
During another instance, Woodward claims Trump criticized military leaders because of their stance on alliances with NATO and South Korea. "I wouldn't say they were stupid, because I would never say that about our military people," he reportedly told Woodward, before going on to say. "But if they said that, they — whoever said that was stupid. It's a horrible bargain ... they make so much money. Costs us $10 billion. We're suckers."
Trump allegedly denies his own white privilege
Bob Woodward also alleges in his new book, Rage, that he and President Donald Trump engaged in a tense conversation regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. Per CNN, Woodward claims that after implying that both he and Trump are "white, privileged" men who could benefit from trying to understand the anger and pain that so many in the Black community experience, Trump accused Woodward of drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid. 'You really drank the Kool-Aid, didn't you? Just listen to you," Trump said. He then supposedly went on a tirade about how he's done more for the Black community than any other sitting president, excluding only President Abraham Lincoln.
In the book, Woodward also delves into Trump's close relationship with leaders of North Korea and Russia; claims Trump's own top officials described him as "unfit" and "dangerous" in his role as president of the United States; and even makes mention of "love letters" between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump has called Woodward's book "just another political hit job," but something tells us this isn't the last we'll hear from both men on the issues raised within its pages.