- Title: Trump wanted Syrian president assassinated, new book says
- Date: 4th September 2018
- Summary: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES (FILE - APRIL 29, 2017) (REUTERS) JOURNALIST BOB WOODWARD AT WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS DINNER
- Embargoed: 18th September 2018 20:16
- Keywords: Bob Woodward Trump Book Fear: Trummp in the White Hous
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES/UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION/CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA,, UNITED STATES/EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, UNITED STATES
- City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES/UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION/CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA,, UNITED STATES/EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0018W7QMO7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: President Donald Trump wanted to have Syrian President Bashar al-Assad assassinated last year but his defense secretary ignored the request, according to a new book that depicts top Trump aides sometimes sidestepping instructions to limit what they see as his damaging and dangerous behavior.
Excerpts from the book, entitled "Fear" and written by famed Watergate reporter Bob Woodward, were published by the Washington Post on Tuesday (September 4). The book, which has not yet been released, is the latest to detail tensions within the White House under Trump's 20-month-old presidency.
The Washington Post on Tuesday also published audio of a telephone call between Trump and Woodward which took place in early August in which they discuss the book.
In the conversation, Woodward tells Trump that his book is going to be "a tough look at the world and your administration and you."
Trump responds saying: "Well, I assume that means it's going to be a negative book. But you know, I'm some - I'm sort of 50 percent used to that."
The book portrays Trump as prone to profane outbursts and impulsive decision-making, painting a picture of chaos that Woodward says amounts to an "administrative coup d'etat" and a "nervous breakdown" of the executive branch. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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