Bob Woodward—the investigative journalist who with partner Carl Bernstein broke the story about Watergate that toppled the presidency of Richard Nixon—wrote and released Fear: Trump in the White House in 2018.
The revelations in the book—based on hours of taped interviews with members of the Trump administration and even President Donald Trump himself—angered the POTUS. Trump lashed out at Woodward in the press and on Twitter.
Now Woodward—the author of 20 books about Washington politics including 13 best-sellers—is set to publish a second Trump book, Rage. Once again, the book will include information Trump disclosed to Woodward during taped interviews.
In advance of the book's release, Woodward—an associate editor for The Washington Post—released audio files of some of those one on ones with the POTUS. While the contents of the files has people buzzing, others can't help but wonder why the President would speak to Woodward again after his first book.
Fox News pundit and fervent Trump supporter Tucker Carlson claims to know why. According to Carlson, the President was set up by South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
Carlson made his allegations on his Fox News program.
The spin is spiraling pic.twitter.com/mA9s3ZW5gF
— nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) September 10, 2020
Carlson said in regards to Trump speaking to Woodward:
"Why in the world would he do that?"
"Well, tonight from a source who knows the answer to that mystery—Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina."
The Fox News commentator added:
"It was Lindsey Graham who helped convince Donald Trump to talk to Bob Woodward, Lindsey Graham brokered that meeting, Lindsey Graham even sat in on the first interview between Bob Woodward and the President."
"How'd that turn out?"
Trump spoke with Woodward in 18 different interviews according to The Washington Post.
Carlson then speculated on potential ill intent on the part of Senator Graham.
"Lindsey Graham is supposed to be a Republican, so why would he do something like that?"
"You'd have to ask him, but keep in mind that Lindsey Graham has opposed, passionately opposed, virtually every major policy initiative that Donald Trump articulated when he first ran, from ending illegal immigration, to pulling back from pointless wars, to maintaining law and order at home, Lindsey Graham was against all of that more than many Democrats."
"So maybe you already know the answer."
When Carlson's Daily Caller right wing news outlet shared video of his remarks, the MAGA crowd were ready to toss Graham under the bus.
I've never liked Lindsey always thought he was a snake. He's deep state!
— Kit Davenport (@katylynn2343) September 10, 2020
Graham's BFF McCain sold out the country together as I recall. Same guy new trick.
— Rick Burley Vet. USAF/USPS Can't change history (@WTFOX123456789) September 10, 2020
Revealing Graham for exactly what he is. RINO
— 🇺🇸🌟Dep*Lori*ble🌟🇺🇸 (@LoriMcCoin) September 10, 2020
I have no doubts that @LindseyGrahamSC is a BIG part of the DEEP STATE! NONE!!!
— Matthew Cordasco (@MattyCordasco) September 10, 2020
My Senator strikes again. I thought the President was smarter than that. @LindseyGrahamSC
— TLM🇺🇸 (@temartin51) September 10, 2020
But not everyone was willing to place all the blame at the feet of Graham.
Let me get this straight...Lindsey Graham held a gun to trumps head and forced him to tell the truth? Do I have that right maga-people??
— MC Hammer and Sickle (@hammansickle) September 10, 2020
Let's try to remember no matter what it was porky Don who failed miserably. Again. Why do people cover for a moron who'd grift you in a second. For him oustsdung moral fiber? Laugh. For his great ability to say we won a trade deal, when in fact we take a bath every time? Really?
— Ed Childs (@childsoncape) September 10, 2020
I love how Tucker Carlson sees the problem here not that Trump was aware of the danger of a pandemic but lied and did nothing for months, but is simply that someone got him to admit it on the record.
— Jay Louis (@JayLouis) September 10, 2020
Then why on earth did @realDonaldTrump listen to his advice? You make it seem like the President is an idiot who is so easily deceived by his so called friends that he talked to a guy 18 times in an audio recording. Why follow such a gullible guy?
— ImaGrouchoMarxist (@ImaGroucho) September 10, 2020
And at least one savvy person saw an opportunity...
It was EVERY Senate Republican up for re-election this year. Don't vote for ANY of them - they tricked our king into talking to that reporter who used the old "unedited tape" trick to make his majesty look like a moron.
— Jeff Zurschmeide (@zursch) September 10, 2020
Graham is up for reelection in 2020.
Retaining his Senate seat plays a vital role in the GOP maintaining control of the Senate.
Whether right-wing pundit Carlson's allegations of disloyalty to President Trump impact Graham's campaign remains to be seen.
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