BW: I take it very seriously. I’ve done books on eight presidents, going back from Nixon to Obama.
Trump: Right. BW: And I learned something about reporting, frankly, Mr. President. Trump: Good.
BW: I’ve got to go talk to people and see them outside of the White House and outside of their offices, and gained a lot of insight and documentation. And it’s — you know, it’s a tough look at the world and your administration and you.
Trump: Right. 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. [Laughter] That’s all right. Some are good and some are bad. Sounds like this is going to be a bad one.
BW: It was a chance missed, and I don’t know how things work over there in terms of . .. Trump: Very well. We ... BW: ... getting to you.
Trump: Well, if you would call Madeleine [Westerhout] in my office ... Did you speak to Madeleine?
BW: No, I didn’t. But I... Trump: Madeleine is the key. She’s the secret. Because she’s the person . .. BW: Well, I talked to Raj [Shah] about it. I talked to ... I talked to Kellyanne.
Trump: Well, a lot of them are afraid to come and talk, or — you know, they are busy. I’m busy. But I don’t mind talking to you. I would’ve spoken to you. I spoke to you 20 years [ago] and I spoke to you a year and a half or two years ago.
[Listen to Woodward and Trump's call on The Post's "Can He Do That?" podcast] BW: A couple of years ago, I understand.
Trump: And I certainly don’t mind talking to you, and I wish I could’ve spoken to you. But nobody called my office. I mean, you went through, I guess, different people. ...
BW: Well, Mr. President, how can I spend all this time talking to people and — like Kellyanne and Raj and Republican senators?
Trump: Who were the senators? No, they never called me about it.
BW: Senator [Lindsey] Graham said he had talked to you about talking to me. Now, is that not true?
Trump: Senator Graham actually mentioned it quickly in one meeting. BW: Yes. Well, see. And then nothing happened.
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