The Daily Beast Podcast This Proves Trump Knows He's In Big Trouble: Wolff
18 snips
Jan 14, 2026 
Journalist Michael Wolff, known for his incisive takes on American politics, delves into Donald Trump's troubling mindset as midterms approach. He reveals how Trump uses headline-grabbing foreign policies like Venezuela and Greenland as distractions. The conversation also highlights Trump’s inability to accept blame, resulting in chaos among his staff. Wolff describes the strain on allies and how Trump's actions are driven by what 'plays' in public, showcasing a presidency that prioritizes spectacle over stability.
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Bondi Treated As Trump's Personal Lawyer
- Wolff recounts Trump's relationship with Pam Bondi as seeing her as his personal lawyer rather than the nation's.
- When lawyers can't achieve his wishes, he quickly blames them despite their efforts to comply.
Trump Never Admits Fault
- Michael Wolff argues Donald Trump cannot accept blame and never admits fault, making allies scapegoats when things fail.
- This creates chronic instability as loyalty curdles into blame and staffing becomes fraught.
Big Moves To Avoid Political Collapse
- Wolff traces Trump's push for dramatic moves to fear of losing the midterms and being "finished."
- He lists domestic problems—jobs, Epstein, ICE videos—that drive the need for distracting theatrics.
