Washington Post seems determined to throw cold water on "Fire & Fury"...

[regnaD kciN]

First, we get this article by Aaron Blake, describing Wolff's book as "literally unbelievable."

Then, Paul Farhi weighs in (in the "Style" section, of all places) with a broadside against Wolff, practically accusing him of being a compulsive liar and serial fabricator of juicy stories from whole-cloth.

Now, the Post isn't exactly known to be a friend to Trump. And it's owned by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, who stands to make a lot of money from sales of the book (which is already #1 on the charts prior to release). So it seems at least odd that the Post appears to be determined to debunk the book and spread a pre-emptive narrative of its falsehood before anyone else has seen more than one chapter. Any theories as to why that may be the case?

[triron]

1. No idea.

[AJT]

2. I think the book has to be some kind of set up by Bannon.

I don't what he's up to, but I am taking anything in it with a grain of salt.

[greyl]

18. About 200 interviews went into the book, not just Bannon's. nt

[spooky3]

3. Is Wolff the decades Kitty Kelley?

[Ccarmona]

4. If Wolff is full of it

Why has Trump lawyers gone to court to try and silience the top source of the book. Also, not one Repug has come out to say DT is smarter & less of an idiot than the book makes him out to be.

[grantcart]

5. Wolff's background was sketchy but he was given unprecedented access

[Hekate]

8. Yep. I'd rather the newspaper of record not get their ankles caught in the seaweed of gossip...

...and get pulled under. While all the rest of us are doing the Schadenfreude Dance over confirmation of nasty infighting and chasm-deep divisions, let real journalists follow up on leads sprinkled on every page of the book. Oh joy.

[herding cats]

10. This exactly.

You mirror my feelings on this to a T!

Oh, and this is so much fun.

[Hekate]

12. Hubby and I are watching MSNBC (11th Hour w Nicolle Wallace) with rare pleasure tonight...

More butter?

[herding cats]

13. Yes, please.

Be damned my waistline I’m enjoying this all to much.

[underpants]

9. Pretty vicious review of Wolff here

https://splinternews.com/remember-who-michael-wolff-is-1821749209

[bettyellen]

11. Im guessing hes peppered it with bullsht designed to confuse people and sow more distrust of the

Media. Am Expecting some big whoppers to be uncovered.

[onenote]

6. Because Wolff has a history of inventing quotes.

It's probably good journalism to express some skepticism about Wolff's book. I started another thread this morning wondering whether he has any of the quotes on tape. From what I've read (including his own descriptions of his methodology, it seems unlikely that he has recorded back up for his assertions).

But hey, it's enjoyable to Bannon and Trump piss on each other.

[PdxSean]

7. Odd, because Bannon has made no denials.

Bannon hasn’t denied anything as reported, and Trump doesn’t appear to question the statements.

True, there are several reports that Wolff plays loose with quotes and facts, so I hope the juiciest stuff is on tape.

[BannonsLiver]

14. I wonder about Wolff as well.

How did he get the access. Why were they so comfortable with him. My guess it’s because he criticized how harshly the media covered trump during the campaign which raises other questions.

The book is fascinating and sounds compelling and I’m sure most of it is accurate but there’s just something a little too neat and clean about how today unfolded. I find myself wondering what angle everyone involved is playing.

[pnwmom]

15. Let's wait and see what the interviewees have to say. Has anyone accused him of lying yet?

Aside from Trump, of course.

[GallopingGhost]

16. True or not,

it is fun to watch them cannibalize each other.

[Drunken Irishman]

17. I'd buy this if Trump's response wasn't so outlandish.

Think about how Trump has responded to past 'he said...' rumors - he shot 'em down. The discussion that Trump made derogatory comments to Haitians and others was denied by the White House. As was other comments. The White House kinda sorta denied this but they also attacked Bannon in the process - and not just attacked him, but REALLY attacked him.

Why?

[DeminPennswoods]

19. How is this different from any of Bob Woodward's "insider" books?

His books are always full of quotes that may or may not have actually been said.