01/06/2018 / By JD Heyes
The Age of President Donald J. Trump has spawned an entirely new form of journalism — fake news — but it is also, apparently, inspiring a new media industry as well.
Fake non-fiction.
That’s a whole new genre that has been concocted by an “author” named Michael Wolff, whose new book, “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” is full of factual errors, misquotes and, some say, outright fabrications in this, the latest attempt, to smear our duly-elected president.
But now, one man who is very familiar with Trump and his administration is speaking out against the book.
David Bossie, who is taking a leave of absence from leading Citizens United to serve as deputy campaign manager for Trump, says Wolff’s book is nonsensical and inaccurate, to say the least.
In fact, he told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Thursday, “It’s the National Enquirer on steroids.”
Not only that, but he said Wolff’s reputation as a sensationalist long precedes the release of “Fire and Fury.”
“This book seems to be [the] National Enquirer on steroids. It’s just sensational journalism. It’s not journalism,” he said. “I’m concerned about what is true and what isn’t true. This author has a history of taking liberties with things.”
Bossie’s comments come after The Guardian reported on excerpts of the book. Among other things, Wolff quoted former top Trump political strategist Steve Bannon as saying that Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016 was treasonous. He also predicted that special counsel Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation is focusing on “money laundering” involving former campaign manager Paul Manafort, Don Jr., and Kushner.
“Trump is not spared,” the news site reported. “Wolff writes that Thomas Barrack Jr, a billionaire who is one of the president’s oldest associates, allegedly told a friend: ‘He’s not only crazy, he’s stupid.’”
But, as reported by The National Sentinel, Barrack — a longtime friend of the president and a confidant — pushed back immediately. The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman tweeted that Barrack told her his ‘quote’ was “totally false,” adding: “It’s clear to anyone who knows me that those aren’t my words and inconsistent with anything I’ve ever said.”
He also noted that Wolff never even asked him if the quote was accurate.
In addition, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who the book said warned Trump that he may be under surveillance from British spies, issued a statement saying the claim is “categorically absurd” and “simply untrue.”
Trump himself hit back at Wolff, tweeting, “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!”
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
In his interview with Ingraham, Bossie — who assisted Bannon in helping to guide Trump’s campaign — said he was “deeply concerned” about what his “friend” had allegedly said. (Related: WUT? Steve Bannon changes course, calls Trump ‘a great man’ he SUPPORTS ‘every day.’)
“Look, I don’t believe [this] for a minute,” Bossie said, noting that the Trump Tower meeting was “fairly standard…for anybody who was involved in a campaign.”
“Don Jr. is a very patriotic man,” Bossie continued. “I’ve spent a lot of time with him. He’s the furthest thing” from being a traitor.
Ingraham asked Bossie why the Trump White House would give Wolff such unfettered access to officials, and why they thought that he was going to be fair to the administration.
“He was never going to be,” Bossie responded. “It’s the biggest error. It’s one of the biggest mistakes, and now we’re off the agenda. We’re not talking about successful tax cuts.”
He also hit back at the book’s claims that Trump doesn’t read much and isn’t very smart. “It’s a joke,” he said. “The president is an incredibly well-educated, well-read, and very smart guy. You don’t get to be president of the United States if you’re not.”
J.D. Heyes is editor of The National Sentinel and a senior writer for Natural News and News Target.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: David Bossie, Donald Trump, Michael Wolff, phony allegations, President Donald J. Trump, Steve Bannon, Trump administration, Trump White House, White House