GARY COHN/MEDIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “President Donald Trump has called journalist Bob Woodward’s book on his administration a work of ‘fiction’ and a ‘scam,’ claiming that quotes in the book are ‘made up’ and that the author is a ‘liar.’ At the same time, sources familiar with his thinking said he is livid at his former economic adviser, Gary Cohn, and his former staff secretary, Rob Porter, for ‘leaking’ to Woodward.It’s difficult to rationally argue that the book could be both: fiction dreamed up by Woodward, and a betrayal by former top stewards of the administration, who shared with the famed journalist alarming details about how the White House functions. But it’s not hard for Trump, who often spouts two opposing views intended for different audiences. And his supporters often soak up the contradictory claims just as readily as he spits them out, taking it all in stride. Call it a belt-and-suspenders approach. When it comes to the ongoing special counsel investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 campaign, for instance, Trump has simultaneously claimed that ‘there was no collusion’ with the Russians, but, also, that ‘collusion is not a crime.’”
–Annie Karni, “Trump’s assault on Woodward riddled with contradictions,” Politico,” September 10, 2018 3:46 pm