With the United States Election day only days away, I went into reading Bob Woodward's latest book Rage with a pretty clear idea of what to expect. I read Woodward's 2018 book Fear in which he documented President Trump's tumultuous election and first year in the White House. To say the things uncovered in that book were disturbing would be an understatement. Woodward gained prominence as one of the two journalists who broke Nixon's Watergate scandal. His previous work covering Donald Trump was meticulously reported and backed by verified sources, public interviews, and cross-referenced records. Still, Trump reverted to his usual tactic of calling any unfavorable reporting on him "fake news". To be fair, Woodward was never granted an interview with President Trump, but all of that has changed in this latest book. Donald Trump granted Woodward 18 recorded interviews over the course of several months. Buckle up, folks. This is a wild ride.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been at the forefront of most American's lives since we were first told to quarantine in mid-March. Despite various attempts to re-open states and get back to a sense of normalcy, our country hasn't been able to effectively lower the number of positive cases. In fact, this week saw us hit a record number of reported positive cases for a single day. Naturally, much of the political debate surrounding this year's presidential election has focused on the government response to the health pandemic. The bombshell of Woodward's reporting in Rage centers upon what Donald Trump knew about the virus, when did he know it, and what was his response. Woodward reveals that the President was warned about the severity of the virus in January. His strategy has been recorded and quoted word for word by Woodward. "I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create panic."
Beyond the obvious mishandlings of the health pandemic, Rage provides some exclusive insights into the President's strange approach to foreign affairs. Despite warnings from both his Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, Donald Trump began a bizarre relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Woodward obtained letter correspondence between the two leaders. In the letters, both men gush about the brilliance of the other and their combined competence in forging an unprecedented relationship between their respective governments. It was widely reported that General Mattis resigned from his position after Trump took military action that was counter to Mattis's recommendations. While it ultimately seems like the worst ramifications of some of these actions have been avoided, it is the President's continued disregard for the informed advice of his advisers that continues to be one of the most disturbing parts of his presidency.
If Fear was a stunning portrait of dysfunction within America's highest governing office, then Bob Woodward's Rage is the first-hand confirmation of those assertions. As Donald Trump's first tumultuous term as President of the United States comes to a close, it is one that will be more remembered for scandal than any legislative achievement. What I always find striking about books like this is that there really aren't any new revelations. Anyone paying attention is already aware of everything that this book confirms. As always, it is the direct quotes from the mouth of the President that are the most striking. Through the wide-ranging interviews that Woodward conducted, we see a man who is completely over his head in leading the country. Woodward says it best, "Trump is the wrong man for the job." It has been said time and again, but I'll say it one more time. Vote!
For more information visit the author's website and Goodreads.
(2020, 45)
I like to read direct interviews and watch them, but your point about them revealing nothing truly shocking because it's been known all along is true. I think it acts as a confirmation of what one heard and thought more than anything.
ReplyDeleteI think books like this are going to be more for history than for us living through it.
DeleteI mean...he pretty much says the quiet parts out loud so there's not so much to be revealed but it's good to hear from people on the inside who won't stand up and speak out.
ReplyDeleteWe're a mail in voting state so I did my ballot this weekend and I'll send it out today.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
I agree. He doesn't even try to hide most of this. Yay for voting safely through the mail!
DeleteI am really scared for you all, I hope people will vote
ReplyDeleteI agree. It seems like there have been huge early voting numbers, so I'm cautiously optimistic!
DeleteI think it would be hard to be shocked by anything revealed in Rage. I think we're all desensitized by Trumps constantly shocking and abhorrent behavior. I wouldn't want to be one of his advisors either! I'm sure it's a truly frustrating position. I guess we'll see what happens in the coming weeks.
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy how quickly we've become desensitized to his behavior. I'm hoping this election will bring a return to dignity in our leader.
DeleteI was queued up to get this one from the library but cancelled it because I don't know that I can stomach much more - and like you said, we already know everything if we have been paying attention. I am increasingly worried about what is to come, when we wake up on November 4th.
ReplyDeleteThis was a pretty tough read, especially considering how close the election is. That being said, it really fired me up to cast my ballot last week!
DeleteI have held off on this one and I will probably do so until there has been a safe transition of power and our new leaders are sworn in. That being said, my heart is so, so happy and I feel much lighter than I have in YEARS. Four years, to be exact. I am still in shock that we actually have a female vice president. It's so thrilling.
DeleteSame here. I didn't realize I had been so on edge for the last 4 years until I was finally able to exhale on Saturday.
DeleteFear is so high on my list. Politics in America is something that I'm very interested in and I'm still amazed how Donald Trump got elected. Not the biggest fan here.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, many of us are equally flummoxed by his rise to power.
DeleteThis sounds like a fascinating read and I trust Woodward’s integrity. I already have this on hold at the library so hopefully I’ll be able to start it soon. Interesting that there is a focus on Trump’s utter disregard for his own advisors - although we’ve seen that time and time again over the last few years.
ReplyDeleteIt just amazes me that he won't listen to the people that he brought on as experts.
DeleteThat sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely interesting!
DeleteI live on the other side of the Atlantic and I’m scared for next week. I still remember his statement about COVID being gone by Easter.
ReplyDeleteThe ineptitude is really astounding.
DeleteLike, from my side of the Atlantic, we were like, 'why is the only guy he talks to the one who broke Watergate???' Now knowing that he'd previously written a book that Trump called fake... I'm even more confused, tbh.
ReplyDeleteIt really doesn't make sense, but I'm glad this record exists!
DeleteThis would probably make my blood pressure rise. I am sure there is nothing new but it does create a record. I am sure someone will write about this election as well. Holy denial.
ReplyDeleteI can't even begin to describe the huge exhale I let out on Saturday night. I hadn't realized how on edge I'd been.
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