The controversy around Michael Wolffs gossipy new Trump book, explained

[kentuck]

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/1/4/16845640/michael-wolff-trump-book

<snip>
Indeed, some of the things Wolff describes in the excerpts sound so outlandish — and also happen to be so hazily sourced — that there’s already a vigorous discussion in the political world about how, exactly, this book should be interpreted. As fact? As “trashy tabloid fiction,” as the White House argues? Or as something in between?

From what I’ve read so far, my view is that we should interpret the book as a compendium of gossip Wolff heard. A fair amount of it does clearly seem to be accurate. Wolff did get access to the White House — reporters have seen him coming and going there this year. He seems to have been in the room for some of the events he depicts. Bannon evidently talked to Wolff a great deal, and he hasn’t disputed any of the controversial quotes attributed to him that have already earned him a presidential tongue lashing.

But of course gossip is often wrong or inaccurate. Sources can misstate the facts accidentally, or deliberately. (A source for one of Wolff’s anecdotes, Sam Nunberg, has previously admitted to spreading made-up Trump campaign gossip.) And we don’t really know how much effort Wolff put into trying to nail down whether the juicy stuff we heard was actually true. Some anecdotes and details in the book don’t seem to match known facts; others seem outright impossible to verify. Some people are disputing quotes attributed to them. And Wolff is often deliberately vague about his sourcing.

In other words, the book does seem to be a collection of stuff Wolff heard. How much of that stuff is actually true is a different question — one that’s much tougher to answer.

[samnsara]

1. i just ordered it! cant wait to get the popcorn started.

[Irish_Dem]

2. Some of the material in the book is quite consistent with Trump's known pathology.

The known pathology is what we see every day for our selves via his tweets and interviews.

[C_U_L8R]

3. Wolff knows how to sell a book... and he sure knows Trump.

Last edited Thu Jan 4, 2018, 11:58 PM - Edit history (1)

These pre-releases are working just as they were designed to do... maybe even better.
Fascinating stuff.

[GusBob]

4. Fact is, everyone knows the first year of this presidency was mayhem

All the leaks, all the departures, all the stories of infighting, all the bullshit. From the very first day, Spicer wagging Trump's dick about crowd sizes. Come on people, plain as day

The overall portrait is accurate anyone can see that.

[EarlG]

5. In a way, the fact that the gossip occurred at all is the story

Whether the content of the gossip is all 100% verifiably true may not be the point -- what's indisputable is that top people in the White House actually said all this stuff to Wolff -- mean, unpleasant stuff about their colleagues and about their boss. On the record.

So if nothing else there's a story which is: wow, look at how disloyal, petty, and vindictive these Trump administration people are, that they would happily stab their co-workers in the back like this to a reporter.

[kentuck]

13. We already know their character...

They have shown themselves willing to lie about anything, especially their "boss". It started with Sean Spicer on the very first day.

[cwydro]

21. Exactly.

What a disgrace of an administration.

What a disgrace of a “president.”

[Orrex]

6. It's far more credible than the child porn pizza parlor story...

And look how seriously The Right took that nonsense!

[Me.]

7. He Has Tapes

[HipChick]

8. Tapes are going to leak soon...this will be in the news cycle for some weeks....

[herding cats]

12. I hadnt heard that yet, but it makes sense.

So, it’s a verifiable collection of damning statements made by Trump’s supposed allies and staff. Whether what they said is true or not isn’t even a thing, really, it’s that it was said at all by these individuals.

[Me.]

14. Kasie DC

Reported that on MJ this morn.

[PoliticAverse]

9. Makes it sound more like an Ed Klein book. n/t

[MFM008]

10. I love gossip

Wish I had it now with my hot chocolate.

[underpants]

15. But, her emails

As much as we need to demand truth justice and the American way I take this one.

[mr_lebowski]

16. For example how the hell could he know that Murdoch hung up the phone after a convo w/Trump

And muttered to himself 'what a f****** idiot' or whatever that quote was.

Wolff would've been on Trumps side of the conversation, so did Wolff actually go to Murdoch later and ask 'what did you think to yourself after that conversation?' and Murdoch said ... what Wolff says he said?

I kinda doubt he'd say that to a reporter, but if he did, and really thinks that about Trump, and is STILL giving Trump nothing but fond coverage on Faux ... that's downright treasonous IMHO.

[shanny]

17. Stuff that Wolff heard...and taped. nt

[eleny]

18. If he heard them and recorded them then some people said those things

Why they did intrigues me. They had to know who he is. And if not, then they know now. I want to know the back stories, too.

[Demsrule86]

19. He has people on the record. There was an editor...and everyone knows Trump sues everyone...so

I think Wolff can back up his book.

[Kirk Lover]

20. Oh well what's a little gossip, it is after all human nature. Meanwhile the RWNJ have

MANUFACTURED bullshit for years, in all media forms..so I say...BRING ON THE GOSSIP.

[lindysalsagal]

22. Great article. Thanks.