The Trump Tapes by Bob Woodward

Author:Bob Woodward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2023-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

COMMENTARY: Earlier in February I had spoken with Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, who was often deployed personally by Trump as an out-of-channels special project officer. Kushner’s view of the world was a declaration of optimism about Trump, the presidency, and Trump’s reelection chances. Kushner said he knew that Trump’s constant refrain that the economy had never been better in history was an exaggeration. But the economy is really great, Kushner said. “If you have a good issue, controversy elevates message.” When the president says it’s the best economy in the world and it’s only a good economy, that’s enough, Kushner is saying. That is the message that comes through to people.

So that’s what Trump wanted me to do here: deliver his message. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t true.

BW:

Can I talk to—is he there?

TRUMP:

Yes. Can you talk to who? Yeah, Jared. Jared’s here. You want him?

BW:

Yes, I’d love to say hello.

TRUMP:

You want Jared? Yeah, here he is. Hold it.

BW:

Okay.

TRUMP:

Take care of yourself, Bob. Say hello to your wife. Okay?

BW:

Okay. Thank you, sir.

TRUMP:

Hold on.

KUSHNER:

Hello?

BW:

Jared, Bob Woodward. How are you?

KUSHNER:

Good. How are you?

BW:

Good. Did you hear what he said? That I’m going to come see you. We’ve got a date scheduled I think next week.

KUSHNER:

Perfect.

BW:

And then you can help me with some of these other people I want to talk to. Is that—

KUSHNER:

Perfect. Well, what I’ll do is I’ll make a list of other people. What I heard from the president is basically that I now work for you [both laugh], so I will make myself available around that schedule and I will make sure I get you a good list. I’ll come up with my list, and if you come with your list of wants, I will work to try to make it all happen.

BW:

I want you to know I have no illusions that you work for me. I know you work for Ivanka, right?

KUSHNER:

[laughing] Okay, fine, you get it. You get it. That’s probably why you’re Bob Woodward. That’s true.

BW:

I get it. Okay, well, that’s great. Travel safely, and I look forward to seeing you. I’ve got some good questions.

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