Bob Woodward, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and well-known journalist for the Watergate scandal, has written two books about Trump. He has written books about all ten presidents, starting with Nixon. The most recent Trump book, “Fear in the White House,” is based on 20 recorded interviews and many recorded phone conversations from 2016 to 2020 during Trump’s time in office and the Covid pandemic.
Woodward released an audiobook with 8 hours of these recordings along with his then-already-released book. Last night I listened to an interview Woodward gave in Toronto about the book and recordings, and I read the book. Everyone should read this book because it not only reveals what Trump did and didn’t do during Covid, but also what was going on behind the scenes during his administration. In January 2020, Trump was warned by his National Security Advisor, Public Health and Staff Advisors that this Covid virus was deadly and the death toll could rival the Spanish Flu, which killed 650,000 Americans. Months later, in April and July 2020, when the Covid death toll was at 140,000 and public health officials were begging Trump to warn the public, he still downplayed the situation, saying by summer it would either be over or it would be over. On tape, he told Woodward he didn’t want to panic people. Public health and national security officials told Woodward Trump wouldn’t listen to briefings. Ultimately, over 1.1 million people died of Covid in the U.S., and over 7 million worldwide. Effective vaccines were not available in the U.S. until late December 2020 (initially they were only given to the elderly and immunocompromised), and they were not widely available and distributed until after March 2021.
In the immediate aftermath of January 6, many in Trump’s orbit feared what he might do, particularly with regard to the nuclear codes, since Trump had instigated the violence and then failed to control it, his Cabinet resigned, and the Republican leadership blamed Trump. General Milley, the highest-ranking general, went to the Pentagon and called together the commanders of the 24-hour guard. He had them confirm one by one that any nuclear order had to include him, and no order would be carried out unless he was involved in the decision and they all agreed. Interestingly, according to Woodward, the same concerns were raised in the chaotic days of the Watergate scandal, when Nixon was unpredictable and the Pentagon was implementing the same security precautions. Woodward also noted that one of the most frightening statements was the Nixon tapes, where he kept saying the press is the enemy, the press is the enemy. The professors are the enemy, the professors are the enemy. Never forget that.”
Woodward’s reaction to Trump’s statements can be summed up in one word: “unbelievable.” Woodward has interviewed and written about ten presidents. He said Trump does not understand the presidency or democracy. Trump does not read briefings and does not listen to expert advisers. Too often he listens to unofficial groups with an agenda and prefers their advice to security advice.
All Russian government experts who knew Putin well said Putin was clever and manipulative. Trump was warned about Putin’s tactics, but he ignored the warnings and even left himself alone with Putin without advisers. We still don’t know what went on at those meetings.
Anyone who wants to know the facts about Trump’s behavior as president should read Bob Woodward’s book. I also recommend John Bolton’s book. He served under Trump for 18 months and was present both at the meeting with Putin and behind the scenes in the White House. Bolton’s and Woodward’s reports, impressions and opinions agree. Trump is incompetent. Trump is dangerous. And no patriotic and rational person believes that Trump should ever be president of the United States again.
William Beckett is a resident of the village Sanibel.
