According to an excerpt from Maggie Haberman’s forthcoming book, Donald Trump spoke with New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman three times over a few months.
A fresh book excerpt published on Sunday revealed that Donald Trump dubbed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a prospective 2024 presidential contender, ‘fat’ and ‘whiny.’
Maggie Haberman of The New York Times reports that he also called his former House Republican ally a “fraud” and claimed credit for his 2018 tight victory against former Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum in the Florida governor’s race.
On Sunday, The Atlantic published an excerpt from Haberman’s forthcoming book, “Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America.”
It describes three distinct conversations with the former president and the experienced New York journalist who covered him prior to his White House tenure.
In the second, which took place in the spring of 2021 in Mar-a-Lago, Trump denied watching television when his supporters stormed the US Capitol in January of that year.
Between the time the mob broke into his home and the time he told them to leave, he was questioned about his activities.
Typically, I did not have the television on. I would turn it on if something was on. ‘I later turned it on and saw what was happening,’ Trump reportedly told Haberman.
“I had learned that after the fact and, in fact, somewhat late. I was having meetings. Also there were Mark Meadows and others. I was not watching television at the time.
She said that she overheard Trump call Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, among other insults, a “fake.”
Multiple testimonies compiled by the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack have contradicted Trump’s account of the events since their meeting.
At legislators’ seventh session in late July, committee member Rep. Elaine Luria stated, “President Trump sat at his dining table and watched the attack on television while his senior-most staff, closest advisors, and family members asked him to do what is expected of an American president.”
The Sunday book excerpt also discloses that Trump made fun of both allies and adversaries.
He reportedly referred to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as “The Old Crow”
During their third encounter, which took place on Trump’s golf property in Bedminster, Haberman inquired about analogies to his 2016 opponent Chris Christie. The ex-governor of New Jersey became Trump’s buddy before splitting with him again following the Capitol violence.
“Am I to be compared to him? Why? I had no idea I had such a serious weight problem,’ Trump reportedly responded.
He also denied viewing the January 6 attack on the Capitol on television, despite contradictory testimony.
During their third meeting, Haberman also revealed an experience he had with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham on Trump’s New Jersey golf course.
Reportedly, Graham told her while nodding to Trump, “The greatest comeback in American history!”
Trump then continued, “Do you know why Lindsey kisses my posterior?
…So I’ll endorse his pals.’
According to Haberman’s report, Graham laughed hysterically.
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s unwillingness to go along with Trump and his allies’ plan to change the results of the 2020 election has drawn bipartisan praise and Republican-led criticism.
Trump reportedly stated, “I told Mike, “You can be Thomas Jefferson, or you can be Mike Pence.” He decided to become Mike Pence.
Trump informed Haberman that he would endure the bumpy ride again, but the author commented that his first thrill was the fame it provided, not the thanks for public duty.
The question I am asked most frequently is, “If you had to do it again, would you have done it?”
Yes, I believe so,’ Trump reportedly responded.
Because, in my opinion, it is as follows: Nobody is aware of my numerous wealthy acquaintances.
And more than a year before the FBI raided Trump’s Mar-a-Lago house, he dismissed the possibility that he possessed crucial data that should have remained in Washington, according to the book.
“Nothing of great urgency, no,” he responded, before referencing the letters that Kim Jong-un had sent him, which he had displayed to so many Oval Office visitors that aides were afraid he was being irresponsible with vital information, Haberman said.
She inquired as to whether he might bring sensitive materials with him.
No, I believe it’s in the archives, however… The most of it is in the archives, but the letters from Kim Jong-un… We have unbelievable things,’ Trump reportedly responded.