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Title: Mueller told that Trump Is Too Dumb to Testify
Source:
Vanity Fair
URL Source: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/201 ... r-trump-is-too-dumb-to-testify
Published: Sep 5, 2018
Author: Tina Nguyen
Post Date: 2018-09-05 09:52:23 by Willie Green
Keywords: None
Views: 2671
Comments: 18
Early leaked excerpts from Bob Woodward’s new book, Fear: Trump in the White House, are overflowing with the sort of new details that ought to trigger the 25th Amendment. “He’s an idiot. It’s pointless to try to convince him of anything,” Chief of Staff John Kelly reportedly groused, while Defense Secretary James Mattis complained that when it came to international affairs, Trump “acted like—and had the understanding of—‘a fifth- or sixth-grader.’ ” Many of these anecdotes largely confirm the reporting of the less scrupulous Michael Wolff, whose own account of Trump’s deteriorating mental state, Fire and Fury, set off a similar media frenzy back in January. Woodward’s book, however, is likely to resonate in more profound, and longer-lasting ways. For one, it has the imprimatur of a renowned journalist whose legacy of reporting on the Watergate scandal lends the book’s conclusions a greater degree of legitimacy. Perhaps more important, Woodward covers a period running into the summer of 2018, while Wolff’s book chronicles the first several months of the administration. As such, Woodward is able to document a development that was still only a glint in Trump’s eye at the time Wolff lost his access to the White House: the Mueller probe. Most of Woodward’s reporting here is as disturbing as expected, which is another way of saying it is shocking but not surprising—the four-word epithet that has come to define Trump’s presidency. According to CNN’s report on the 448-page book, Trump’s then-personal attorney John Dowd became convinced that Trump could not be allowed to speak to Robert Mueller because the president would inevitably perjure himself. Trump, as has been previously reported, rebelled, insisting that he could exonerate himself if only he could testify with the special counsel. Dowd, Woodward reports, decided to conduct a mock interview on January 27 to prove his point. Trump failed, according to Dowd, but the President still insisted he should testify. Woodward writes that Dowd saw the “full nightmare” of a potential Mueller interview, and felt Trump acted like an “aggrieved Shakespearean king.” More surprising is what reportedly happened next: Dowd and Trump’s personal attorney, Jay Sekulow, “went to Mueller's office and re-enacted the mock interview” with the hope of convincing Mueller that Trump couldn’t testify because he is a pathological liar. “He just made something up. That’s his nature,” Dowd reportedly told Mueller. (In an interview with the Daily Caller shortly after parts of Fear were leaked, Trump attacked Woodward in a manner characteristic with Dowd’s alleged statement, accusing the Watergate reporter of having ”lot of credibility problems.”) The details revealed in The Washington Post’s own story are, if possible, even more damaging. The Post’s Philip Rucker and Robert Costa make note of the same meeting between Dowd, Sekulow, and Mueller (as well as Mueller’s deputy, James Quarles), but they add a critical exchange after Dowd and Sekulow re-enact the disastrous mock interview session: Dowd then explained to Mueller and Quarles why he was trying to keep the president from testifying: “I’m not going to sit there and let him look like an idiot. And you publish that transcript, because everything leaks in Washington, and the guys overseas are going to say, ‘I told you he was an idiot. I told you he was a goddamn dumbbell. What are we dealing with this idiot for?’ ” “John, I understand,” Mueller replied, according to Woodward. Here we have the president’s legal counsel arguing not only that Trump is too mendacious to testify, but that he would look so moronic if the transcript ever leaked that it would constitute a national-security crisis. Dowd is practically pleading with Mueller to think of the greater good: if foreign leaders read Trump’s testimony, he suggests, it would be impossible for them not to conclude that he is unfit for office. On Tuesday, both Dowd and Sekulow denied Woodward’s account of their meeting with Mueller. But Dowd’s urge to protect Trump from himself—and thereby protect the country from Trump—is more than just anecdotal. It is, in fact, the central theme running throughout Fear. Woodward recounts how Mattis, for instance, deliberately ignored Trump’s declaration that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and “the fucking lot” of his Syrian supporters be assassinated. (“We’re not going to do any of that,” Mattis told a senior aide when he got off the phone.) Former chief economic adviser Gary Cohn is reported to have stolen a letter off Trump’s desk that would have withdrawn the U.S. from a trade deal with South Korea, and hinted to former aide Rob Porter that he would do the same for any deal nixing NAFTA (“I can stop this. I’ll just take the paper off his desk,” he reportedly said). Of course, nearly all of the aides and advisers who tried to manage Trump have since given up or resigned. (Kelly remains, though one imagines his exit has just been hastened.) Some, presumably, went on to be sources for Woodward. Dowd himself left the White House several weeks after meeting with Mueller, as the Post observes: Later that month, Dowd told Trump: “Don’t testify. It’s either that or an orange jumpsuit.” But Trump, concerned about the optics of a president refusing to testify and convinced that he could handle Mueller’s questions, had by then decided otherwise. “I’ll be a real good witness,” Trump told Dowd, according to Woodward. “You are not a good witness,” Dowd replied. “Mr. President, I’m afraid I just can’t help you.” The next morning, Dowd resigned. Poster Comment:
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#1. To: Willie Green (#0)
Donald Trump the multi-billionaire? The New York businessman who became rich by investing in real estate and building skyscrapers with his name on them, then defeating 16 professional politicians in the primary AND Hillary Clinton to become President of the United States? And as President, responsible for 4.2% GDP growth, unemployment at record lows, stock market at a record high, renegotiated trade deals, regulations slashed? THAT guy? Too dumb? Then give me ten more dumb guys just like him.
Whitey, you composed a nice reply that put a smile on my face. Thanks.
If Trump wouldn't take his lawyer's advice, then the lawyer should certainly resign. And if I were his lawyer, I'd give the same advice, which would be just as ignored, and I'd resign too. If Trump does testify, it will be a huge mistake. No doubt about it. On the other hand... Trump is Trump, and if he was the kind that took advice, then he may be little different than the commercial/retail politicians that half the country is so very refreshingly glad he isn't. If you want a president you think is perfect, then announce the start of your campaign. Otherwise, we should appreciate the current president for both his positive and negative qualities. And yes, he has both. Calling him dumb is patently dishonest, and only done by the huge number of MSM hysterically deluded people that are consumed by cries of racism and hatred of Trump for every reason from his hair to his private business success.
Stated in English: "These lies confirm the previous lies." Anonymous democRat fake sources enroute to Woodward's house:
You mean Trump the millionaire playboy who inherited his daddy's wealth and probably got bailed-out by the Russian Mafia after his Atlantic City casino went bankrupt...
Synonymous with stupid.
Liberals are like Slinkys. They're good for nothing, but somehow they bring a smile to your face as you shove them down the stairs.
Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for Chapter 11 reorganization, not Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The company exited bankruptcy and became a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises. Still is. "Trump Plaza is a closed hotel and casino on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts. It operated from 1984 until 2014." It was open for 30 years. Now it's closed. Shit happens. Pretty long for a casino.
Trump is the living proof that all the less than 100 IQ have to exist somewhere
Hey Misterwhite - What's your favorite speech or essay where Trump articulates a solid command of the basic ideological principles that made America great to begin with?
Ah. So you prefer the flowery speeches and empty promises where a politician talks about how great things will be rather that President who is demonstrating, right now, what constitutes America's greatness?
Bewaaahaa!!! Aka, "New Fairy Tale". Talk about "DUMB"?? Anyone who believes unsourced, fake quotes and wishful thinking. ALL BS. Woodward = Tool. Readers = Simpletons.
But..but...Even after your lobotomy, you are still an EPIC FAIL? Give it up.
LOL... Keep the Willie-Boy trainwrecks a-movin'... Stated in English: "These lies confirm the previous lies." EXACTLY.
Reminds me of Bubba and his book, somebody irrelevant trying to be relevant. Everytime I walk by the display with his book it's usually full, I expect to see it in the $2.99 bin at Wally World soon.
Vegetarians eat vegetables. Beware of humanitarians!
Is this a pot/kettle moment?
Vegetarians eat vegetables. Beware of humanitarians!
Everytime I walk by the display with his book it's usually full, I expect to see it in the $2.99 bin at Wally World soon. Ha!! Yup. More severely discounted fiction. The shameless Woodward (like Bernstein) supposedly has journalistic "gravitas". They're just an old hack. Liars. Propagandist-puppets who've sold their soul. Woodward AND Bernstein. The Abbott and Costello of Journo-Lib icons. Where did these fossils suddenly come from?? Oh that's right -- the MSM trudged them out over 40 years after Watergate as "relevant" reminders of Nixon....and as a supposed nexus of Trump. The Left consistently believes the American public is stupid. (Which is why they they STILL can't believe they can't KO Trump. Not only that, he gets STRONGER.)
They have been has beens for a long time now, the leftards are getting really desperate. Just wait until the FISA warrants get unredacted, they'll have to enact a nationwide suicide watch for all the TDSers.
Vegetarians eat vegetables. Beware of humanitarians!
I've been married to the same woman for 30+ years. Raised a family. Own a home. Have no debt. Never declared bankruptcy. Taught myself, applied, and forgotten more about computer programming than the kinky haired ashke-Architects (whose work-products I've salvaged more than once) will ever know. Taken care of my health such that I could learn to snowboard at 50 years old and master any black diamond run on the mountain. Haven't raised any Kabbalah dabbling poodle-witches who push the LGBT agenda from the White Kennel. Never promoted a lesbian to general officer and put it in command of the Air Force Academy. Never pardoned a Kosher meat packer having 400 illegal employees on board. Oh, and My DD214 says "honorable"; whereas...what does Cadet Bone-Spur's DD214 say again? Odd. I don't feel like an epic fail. YMMV!
Mueller told that Trump Is Too Dumb to Testify
#2. To: misterwhite (#1)
#3. To: Willie Green (#0)
#4. To: Willie Green (#0)
(Edited)
Many of these anecdotes largely confirm the reporting of the less scrupulous Michael Wolff
#5. To: misterwhite (#1)
Trump the multi-billionaire? The New York businessman who became rich by investing in real estate and building skyscrapers with his name on them,
#6. To: Willie Green (#0)
Vanity Fair-Willie Green
#7. To: Willie Green (#5)
after his Atlantic City casino went bankrupt...
#8. To: misterwhite (#1)
THAT guy? Too dumb? Then give me ten more dumb guys just like him.
#9. To: misterwhite (#1)
#10. To: VxH (#9)
What's your favorite speech or essay where Trump articulates a solid command of the basic ideological principles that made America great to begin with?
#11. To: Willie Green (#0)
Bob Woodward’s new book...
#12. To: VxH (#9)
What's your favorite speech or essay where Trump articulates a solid command of the basic ideological principles that made America great to begin with?
#13. To: Hank Rearden (#4)
(Edited)
#14. To: Liberator (#11)
Woodward = Tool. Readers = Simpletons.
#15. To: paraclete (#8)
Trump is the living proof that all the less than 100 IQ have to exist somewhere
#16. To: CZ82 (#14)
Reminds me of Bubba and his book, somebody irrelevant trying to be relevant.
#17. To: Liberator (#16)
Woodward AND Bernstein. The Abbott and Costello of Journo-Lib icons.
#18. To: Liberator (#12)
(Edited)
But..but...Even after your lobotomy, you are still an EPIC FAIL?
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