Summary "Not only is he helping me sell books, but he's helping me prove the point of the book." Photo: Reuters
(Web Desk) – Fire and Fury, an explosive book written by Michael Wolff has hit the shelves. The book, which is about Donald Trump’s first year in office, has received much criticism from the White House.
But despite this, Wolff has stated that he stands by his reporting and the president’s threat of legal action against his book is only going to boost the sales, reported the Guardian.
In his first interview since the publication of his book, triggering a massive firestorm, Wolff asked, “Where do I send the box of chocolates?
“Not only is he helping me sell books, but he’s helping me prove the point of the book.”
Here we go. You can buy it (and read it) tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. President.
— Michael Wolff (@MichaelWolffNYC) January 4, 2018
Wolff, an American journalist, who has also defended the book, stood by his account that many inside the administration believe that Trump is incapable of meeting the demands of the role as a president – something which has prompted a furious backlash from the White House.
“I will quote Steve Bannon,” Wolff said. “‘He’s lost it.’”
Trump’s lawyer demanded a halt to publication of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House or excerpts. The publishing company instead brought forward the release date, which generated more excitement.
Just a mile from the White House, one of the famous Washington store, Karmerbooks, started selling copies at midnight; it was reported that within 15 minutes 75 books had been sold. The book also jumped on the top spot at Amazon’s bestseller list.
Wolff’s book ranked number one over night on Amazon website. Photo: Amazon Screengrab
In response to Wolff’s book, a furious Trump took to twitter and said: “I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that don’t exist.”
I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that don’t exist. Look at this guy’s past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018
Wolff, a media critic and columnist, responded: “What was I doing there if he didn’t want me to be there? I absolutely spoke to the president. Whether he realised it was an interview or not, I don’t know, but it certainly was not off the record.”
“I spoke to people who spoke to the president on a daily, sometime minute-by-minute basis. In a sense there was one question on my mind when I began this book: what is it like to work with Donald Trump, how can you work with Donald Trump, and how do you feel having worked with Donald Trump?”
The White House, calling it “tabloid gossip” full of “lies”, has dismissed the book and some commentators have cast doubt on Wolff’s credibility.
Wolff has stated that like any journalist he has recordings and notes and is in “in every way comfortable” with the credibility of what he has reported.
“My credibility is being questioned by a man who has less credibility than perhaps anyone who has ever walked on earth at this point,” he said.
Asked if he stands by his work, Wolff replied: “Absolutely everything in the book.”
The book discusses a recurring theme of questioning the fitness of Trump’s wellbeing for the office.
A staff of a book store is processing pre-sold copies of Michael Wolff’s book ‘Fire and Fury’, Photo: EPA
Wolff added: “I will tell you the one description that everyone gave, everyone has in common. 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.”
“They say he’s a moron, an idiot. Actually, there’s a competition to sort of get to the bottom line here of who this man is. Let’s remember, this man does not read, does not listen, so he’s like a pinball just shooting off the sides.”
The White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, in an interview called claims made in the book as “disgraceful and laughable”. Sanders, who has been a longtime friend of Trump, rejected Wolff’s suggestion.
Chris Ruddy, chief executive of Newsmax Media, in an interview to an American news channel said that: “He is not psychologically unfit; he has not lost it… I saw the president every other day over a 10-day period during the holiday. I conversed with him during this time. I saw him interact with people. He was remembering things, he was on point, he was following up on discussions.”
Rex Tillerson, whose future as secretary of state has been subjected to intense criticism, defended the state of president’s condition.
“I’ve never questioned his mental fitness,” he told in an interview to an American news channel. “I have no reason to question his mental fitness.”
After the book launch, President Trump is still lashing out on Twitter against its publication.
Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018
