Paranoid Trump's Vile Racial Slur for Cuffed Senator Alex Padilla | The Daily Beast Podcast

I'm Joanna Coles, this is the Daily Beast podcast. What an eventful week. On Wednesday, we had Governor Newsom on explaining what was happening. in California and hundreds of. you responded with extraordinarily thoughtful, smart comments about him and many of you saying, this is what. the future of the Democratic Party leadership looks like. I think it was more than just his local fan base. It felt like many of you thought, this is what leadership looks like.

Someone who talks to both sides, who's. calm, who's reasonable, and who's saying, come on, Donald Trump, arrest me. And you will notice, of course, that Donald Trump has not yet arrested him. despite his threats, because he understands that. that would be an a media opportunity I don't think he wants. to give to his opposition. Who better to break all of this down with? Plus the most recent developments from the Middle East of Israel. bombing the nuclear and military facilities in Iran? Then, of course, the man who lives inside Donald Trump's head with him,

Michael Wolff. Michael, just to remind you, has authored four books on Donald Trump. He talks to many of the people around Trump. He's regularly, listening to. what's happening in the white House when he can hear above the jackhammers. Of course, this week, tearing up the lawn for Trump's Mar-A-Lago style patio. So let's get straight into it. Michael, what is happening?

Michael. Good morning. I've missed you. And where to begin. We've got. And I love him. I can't believe the world marches on. We take a few days break from each other. I know what is the state of affairs. California in lockdown. Gavin Newsom now elevated to the national stage. and Israel going in to attack. nuclear and military sites in Iran. Pete Hegseth on his way to the Middle East.

As you're comfortably in the Hamptons and I'm in London. Instead of just let's just l add Elon forgotten. Remember that? Yeah. Remember, you. All remember Elon dropping the Epstein bomb and also tariffs. Whatever happened to tariffs? So where do we begin? What are people. saying in the corridors of the white House when they can hear themselves. above the jackhammering of the lawn being torn up?

Actually, what I've heard is, is Trump on the phone? The phone in Trump is this incredibly interesting. relationship because he's like an open faucet. He thinks it he says it on the telephone. Who's he on the telephone to? I would say that he has a has a sort of a core group of a dozen. who he's frequently calling and then added to that, probably at any. given time, another dozen who come up for some for, for, for any reason,

they call him it doesn't make any difference. But he says the same thing to everyone. It is not as if he has a few people who he is, who he has this confidential conversation with it just everyone. It's your. Anyone who's on the phone is functionally interchangeable with anyone else. who might be on the phone, who might have his phone number. He doesn't listen to them. They're kind of irrelevant.

And he just goes on, and they, if they're smart, repeat it back to him, and then they can have a have a, a frequent, phone relationship with him. But what he's saying is, and I think, I think he was, I would interpret this as he was. a little unsettled by the PDA thing, which God knows he should. So this is Senator Padilla, Anthony Padilla being arrested. at a Christie Gnome press conference.

The pictures were were disturbing. I mean, he's thrown down on the. California senator, I mean, which, you know, so a major, a major political figure in the, you know, in California by but. Well, in and by virtue of it being California, a major, you know, a major national figure. But actually, Trump is saying. so he Trump saw these pictures. And then he's been on the phone saying to people, hey, hey, what?

But, you know, nobody's ever heard of this guy as though that's an excuse. and then has gone on to say, and he looks like an illegal. So there we have this Trump, the open faucet saying, what is, you know, I mean, clearly he has given no, no second thought to this is just his, his visceral response. Nobody's ever heard of him. So of, you know, of course, of course that might be.

you know, that we can we can, we can we can take the blame off the Ice agents. because they haven't heard about of this guy. But just. understand the images look really bad. Well, I think this is Trump understanding that he's looking for. He's now rationalizing this the just the fact is that he's rationalizing this. in some in some way, which might brand him as a complete racist once more,

although I'm sure he doesn't particularly care about that. And also in that relative Trump thing, if, if, if you are not famous, if you are famous, that would obviously put you. in a different category and Ice agents would not have tackled you. But because nobody a Padilla is actually. a relatively new senator from California, nobody knows about this person. So therefore therefore, yeah,

perfectly understandable that the Ice agents would tackle him. And of course, he looks like an illegal. He is also by dint of him sending in the national Guard. and looking for a fight in California, elevated Governor. Newsom to the national stage. He addressed the nation, on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, he gave us an exclusive interview. This suddenly makes him look like the lead Democrat. Was that intentional, do you think, on the behalf of Toronto?

And again, as I have said, so many times, nothing is intentional in Trump world. What right was cause is always divorced from effect. And he will. soon be rallying against Newsom. I mean, he he he already he already is. And. and he will be furious that Newsom has become a, a national, a more of a national figure.

And then at the same time, he will take credit for that. Newsom only exists because of because of me. He wouldn't be in this position, except I've put him in this position. But he will not say that in a negative sense. This will be in a positive sense. I deserve all the credit for Newsom. And and maybe I should be paid something. Right. Newsom should pay him for making him even more famous. because he's the executive producer of our lives at the moment. I was very curious. The comments that we got tons of comments on YouTube after the governor's.

interview, incredibly positive, all saying this is what leadership looks like. Someone calm, someone who's willing to talk to both sides. This feels like a good moment for the governor. Yeah, I would say. I mean, it's like a moment handed to him. You know, it's curious because I. during the, the Biden. Trump to be in Atlanta,

you might remember all these years, all those years ago. Yeah. Okay. But that that was an interesting moment because the singular standout. at that debate, I was, I was I was there on the, on the, on the floor in the spin room was Newsom. And it was a moment that you could see this. This is a person who is running for president either, if not now. And I suspect he would have been delighted to have run, in 2024.

But clearly in the in the in the future. I mean, just was all of the other Democrats seemed to be relative pygmies, against this guy who. who, who took all the air out of the out of the room. Not not not least because he's significantly taller. than than than everyone. And, you know, in a curious matchup with Trump, they're both they're both. they're both very tall. And they both have these heads of hair, which is the first thing that you notice.

about both of them. And probably one of the more significant virtues in American politics. Well, Gavin Newsom seems like a celebrity. I mean, I'm very curious that he stayed a little detached. from Hollywood celebrities, which can often bring you down. as someone who's wanting to run, he seems to stay. in Northern California more than he shows up in L.A.. Yeah. No, no, no, I mean, I think he's. clearly he's clearly triangulating every part of this. He clearly sees this as as his as his opportunity, as do many other people.

It should it should be. It should be clear. And so the, the, the Newsom trajectory to watch is between here and the midterms. How much does he become that, that. the, the high. profile Democrat to begin to lead that campaign? Remember, there is no high profile Democrat now. Well, there are going to be I'm sure, other, Democratic governors who very much hope.

that Donald Trump will send the National Guard into their state. So they also get a national platform. I don't want to sound cynical about it, but this is, as you say, the Democrats are looking for someone to emerge. And this has given Governor Newsom the opportunity. Okay. So so let's go on to what's happening in the Middle East, which is literally. a scenario playing out that the Pentagon. would use as one of the scenarios for the start of World War three, Israel bombing or trying to take out.

Iran's nuclear and military facilities. Iran responding, Pete Hegseth, of all people, the former Fox News host now. in charge of the Department of Defense, is on his way over. So he'll be showing up as American Boy Doll with all his various Stars and. Stripes accessories. To what extent. do we think that Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whitcomb, has got any of this under control?

Well, let's let's begin with I mean, he has none of this under control, but let's let's go to the to the, to the overriding fact, which is that Woodcock is basically the man in control. He is our man in the Middle East. He has been given that portfolio, and, and and really is even beyond. Marco Rubio, who's the secretary of state?

Whitcomb is, is in charge. He is running the show. So let's talk about Wyckoff. And it's it's. it's just mind, but staggering that we are talking. about Wyckoff. And. I mean, Wyckoff is a, you know, not very, pro not very high profile, not very interesting, real estate guy from New York, who as all real estate guys in New York has moved to Florida.

And, you know, I mean, all I'm you real estate guys are, you know, some I mean, let's to call them. intellectually limited is a, actually, they would probably take it as a compliment. But. Well, do you think he's in the Woolworth Building? I mean, he owns he owns a large swathe of downtown Manhattan or or a large swath.

He owns several buildings in downtown. But his real credential. is that he's a golf buddy. That's what. That's how he knows Trump. Prince. That's the that's the source of their relationship, is that they are golf buddies. Constant golf buddies. Now, Wyckoff is, I'm casting about for the word a dummy.

I mean, he doesn't really know anything. He has no diplomatic experience. He has no experience beyond New York real estate, which is one of the more. parochial disciplines in, in business and finance. and in, in American life. What, what relevance it has to anything else besides real estate. I I'm not I'm not sure, but but Wyckoff is. is just a famous, you know, within Trump circles is known.

You know, eyes go up as a famous Trump lackey. He he's there. He's, you know, he has a he has a playing to, which is very important in the Trump in the Trump, world. So when Trump's playing on the campaign trail broke down, which was happening. all of the time, then Whitcomb would send in his plane to, to to rescue Trump.

And so that was a, that was a that was a big, a, a big, a big plus in the Trump in the Trump column. And, and also we we might point out that that Whitcomb. son is in the crypto business. with, with Trump's sons. So, you know, so why is the Middle East. going up in flames? I think that there are a myriad of reasons, but put Steve.

Whitcomb among them. Does Donald Trump understand what's at stake here? Does he just want to I mean, I'm not even sure how to frame the question, because I know you're going to say, of course not. But but what is Trump's play here? I mean, to be fair to Steve Wyckoff, when he first showed up, there was some sense that he had some negotiating skill.

because post October the 7th, he was able to negotiate or help negotiate. the first ceasefire and the release of, I think, 30 hostages. But since then, we've had a series of ceasefires. which have just gone up in smoke. Yeah, yeah. And I'm in. I'm not even sure just because because Steve Whitcomb was, Trump's Trump's man on the scene at that place. And that was really, by the way, as you recall, Steve. Whitcomb interposed himself.

And because Joe Biden was still president among the Democrats. So I think Steve would have had nothing to do with that. He was a kind of a dog. Yeah. I mean, really, really, really not a bright guy. Not someone who you would who you would in. any sphere of thought say, oh, this is a person who could add value to this. in credibly complicated situation.

So his only real virtue is that. he has, you know, he has the president's ear. He can call up Trump. But Trump brings very little to this, to this situation. So we have two people who really don't add any value. to solving the problem or two. I mean, let's let's not, you know, solving the problem is, is too large. for any anyone but for but for lessening. the risks in this situation.

Of, still civil servants. in the State Department that can handle this. Do you think Marco Rubio is much use here? Well, I think that Marco. Rubio is not not a dummy. He does have experience in this. He is, you know, among this cast of characters, you would say, oh, you know,

you know, you would hope that Marco Rubio has a hand. I don't think, Trump particularly listens to Marco Rubio. You know, he's one of those you know, he's one of the people he was. one of the cabinet people put in in, in place. largely because you have to put someone in place, but with very little relationship to, to, to Trump. Trump doesn't know, doesn't trust them, doesn't it doesn't make any difference.

Just doesn't listen to him. And and I mean, listen to him. Not because he doesn't have something. Some of these. I just because Trump doesn't listen the the the voice goes constantly actually. with Steve Whitcomb, you might say Trump occasionally listens to him. He just has nothing to say. Right. So even when he is listening, the person talking has nothing to say. And of course, Steve Wyckoff is also, has also been dispatched by Donald Trump to deal with Putin claims.

after his first meeting with Putin that they had a great understanding. that they were good friends. Now, that also doesn't seem to have come to pass. No. And I think it's a it's it's a thing. I mean, Steve Woodruff has stepped into this, you know, into. I mean, he is in some way the leading player in, in, in America's foreign policy at this point. And nobody really, I think in, in, certainly in. any substantial way, has focused on the fact that he is,

among the least qualified. people ever to take a position. in the execution of America's foreign policy. What is he doing in this role that is as preposterous. as, dare I say, Donald Trump being the president of the United States? Well, a facts that we're going to celebrate. or that America is going to celebrate tomorrow with the great birthday parade,

which a lot of people are saying is far too expensive. And it may have seemed to Donald Trump like a very good idea. to have a birthday parade. After all, the King of England has won. In fact, he's also having one tomorrow where the Household. Cavalry will will ride around is called Trooping of the color. It's an annual thing for the for the monarch's official birthday, but this suddenly looks like less of a good plan given. what's going on in the Middle East and given what's going on in California. Well, I'm not sure.

It looks like less of a good plan to Trump. Although. he has been going around the white House, there's a big fear. that nobody's going to turn out for this, for this, this parade. In general. And you're going to have. the military down the street and nobody, nobody, they're watching it. So they're they're now trying to get make sure. people get out there trying to bus in, bus in that, the, the Trump base. And he's setting expectations for this, which is like,

you know, there's going to be a million people. I mean, it's Trump, Trump, Trump now. Numeration crowd all over again. Exactly. So, so two things will happen. He'll be furious that the crowds are sparse. and then he'll announce that the crowds are, are, are unprecedented in size. What should people be looking out for during the birthday parade? If people are sitting at home watching this, what should they be?

First of all, where is Donald Trump going to be for the birthday. That that, we. I don't know, Because obviously in Britain you have the balcony on Buckingham Palace, which is made for precisely made for occasions like this. And you have the flypast, at the end of it. And now we have the little princes making faces, which has added much. hilarity to the event. But we don't know where the Trumps will be watching this from. We do not we do not know if Melania will be by his side.

And in what? What, what cold polls she might take if she is indeed by his side. Or how big the brim of her hat will be. So he'll be rushing around, inflating the crowd size. Caroline Leavitt will be obviously supporting that. And there will be protests across America. Yeah, exactly. I mean, but the thing is, I mean, I'm not sure that there is going to be much,

much to see except the expense, as it goes down, down the street. But there is the, the context behind this, which is alarming, which is that. this is someone without the faintest idea of the long. tension between civilian and military authorities. and the intricate balance between force and process in a democracy. He does not know.

And, you know, unless emphasizes the purpose and the place of the military. in American life, which is why they are now in LA. I wonder if this is compensatory to the military parade. for his own bone bone spurs, and the fact that he could never he never, you. Know, it's so weird. His, his, his, his relationship here. I mean, he goes around saying in this began begin certainly in, you know, as soon as he got to the white House in 2017,

you know, I'm talking about my troops, my military, and, and then going on about the expense of my troops in my military. And why don't we get more value out of them? Why can't we use them for other things? And then at the same. time, you know, he was, you know, he has never had a good relationship. with, with with any of the generals around him. Sometime a terribly toxic relationship.

But it's always then why are these people who are these people? And at one point in, you know, I think this I think in 2017, the first year. he went around saying, saying, how much do these guys get paid? Why would they do this? Because they don't actually get paid very much. So he's both propriety. and disdainful at the same, same time, you know, again, without any real sense or appreciation of, of,

of what the military does, of what it's. supposed to do of of where it is. When you think about the American government and American democracy. And of course, the ones that did work for him banded together. in a campaign for the Democrats, saying, whatever you do, do not reelect. No, no, no, I mean, it's if you are in the military, I mean, and if you've been in proximity to him, it's really, I think, alarming.

I mean, first thing you know, the, the, the, the modern military is very, you know, conscientious in, in and disciplined. in a, procedural way. And they're very data minded. So whenever any issue comes up, you know, the PowerPoint comes out and, and it's you get a a, you know, a. a pretty, a pretty deep dive on any issue. Well, the PowerPoint comes out 90s later.

Trump is out of the room. Okay, Michael, big birthday parade tomorrow. Okay. Us in the Middle East and chaos in downtown LA. Can we reprise our conversation. after the birthday parade and discuss the actual size of the crowds? We certainly can. Okay. And for those who wanted to catch you minute by minute, I want to refer them to Michael Wolff NYC on Instagram, where they can see you. in your natural habitat, the glorious gardens of the Hamptons,

where your wife, Victoria, pops up from time to time. All your children do. with a charming domestic scene, which I'm sure grounds you in this. Well, a little, little, a little peaceful environment helps at the moment. It does. And I feel I should, point out to, regular readers and observers. of this podcast that you have once more been slammed by the white House. Stephen Chung says you're still blithering and you're widely.

discredited due to blatant lies and fabrications. And then he goes on to add, you're an imbecile of the highest order, and you're Trump Derangement Syndrome addled brain. has caused him to lead a miserable existence. I actually think your existence looks rather good. Anyway, let's check back in. I will be looking for crowd size, and I will be looking to see. any of the Trumps where they will be and what they will be dressed. in, and let's hope we're still here to discuss it.

On Sunday or Monday. I'm confident. Well, well, well, Michael is going back to his garden, but we will both, of course, be fixated on the crowd size of the birthday parade tomorrow. And I wonder what Steve Wyckoff is thinking. Is does he wake up every morning thinking, I can't believe that. I'm now, having to resolve this crisis in the Middle East? Or does he wake up thinking, well, I wonder where I'll take my plane today? I love being a billionaire.

I love being a golf buddy of Donald Trump. And how lucky am I to be in this position? It's impossible to know. But we'll be back with Michael Wolff and he will shed. more light on this extraordinary moment in history. If you have been, thank you for listening. Feel free to subscribe to the Daily Beast itself. A minute by minute updates on what's going on. I'm watching the parade or while you're out there protesting. Don't forget to share this podcast. It was produced by Devin Roger Reno and Anna von Essen.