WHAT’S THE STORY?
IT’S anyone’s guess, frankly, as to whether President Trump will realise his ambition of Making America Great Again. But there’s one trade he has been genuinely good for - book publishing.
Despite being in power for only 20 months, he has already generated so many books that it can be difficult to keep track of them.
The latest - Fear: Trump in the White House, by Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward - is an impeccably-sourced, eye-opening account of the chaos within Trump’s administration. It quotes John F. Kelly, his chief of staff, as saying about the president: “He’s an idiot. It’s pointless to try to convince him of anything. He’s gone off the rails. We’re in crazytown.”
Trump’s former aide, Omarosa Manigault Newman, settled scores in ‘Unhinged’, her insider’s account of the White House. Still to come is a tell-all book by Stormy Daniels, the adult-film actress with whom Trump allegedly had an affair. Other books examine Trump’s alleged links with Russia, or the drive towards impeachment, or his impact on global politics. One book analysed every action he made in his first year. Even Trump’s former FBI director, James Comey, has weighed in with a revealing account of his own.
Trump responds scathingly to many such offerings. “The Woodward book is a scam,” he told his 54 million Twitter followers. “The author uses every trick in the book to demean and belittle.” He dismisses Manigault Newman as “a lowlife.”
On the other hand, other books, some by Fox News stalwarts, take a bracingly partisan and supportive view of the under-fire president.
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
IF you view Trump with horrified fascination, alarm, contempt, or even mild curiosity, the books are a must; they paint a vivid picture of a feckless and dysfunctional president. Michael Wolff’s Fire and Fury is a good example. But enthusiastic pro-Trumpers say that, whatever distortions the liberal, ‘fake news’, media and Trump-baiting authors devise, he’s implementing his campaign pledges and doing an excellent job of running America without getting the credit he deserves.
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