I Know Why Trump's Presidency Is Doomed: Wolff - The Daily Beast Podcast

Podcast Summary: "I Know Why Trump's Presidency Is Doomed: Wolff"

The Daily Beast Podcast
Host: Joanna Coles
Guest: Michael Wolff
Date: March 18, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Joanna Coles welcomes journalist and author Michael Wolff to discuss the unraveling of President Trump’s second term amidst the disastrous war in Iran, spiraling domestic issues, rising internal party rifts, and the President’s growing detachment from political realities. The conversation delves deeply into the administration’s blunders, the psychology of Trump’s decision-making, infighting in MAGA ranks, and the destabilizing role of key figures in the White House.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. War in Iran: Origins and Fallout

Immediate Crisis: The episode begins with news of a top U.S. counterterrorism official, Joe Kent, resigning in protest over the ongoing war in Iran, claiming it was instigated by pressure from Israel and that Iran "posed no imminent threat." (01:01)
- Michael: "I would interpret this as the right wing MAGA coalition further coming apart...the message...is...Israel is calling all the shots." (01:51)
Trump's Psychology:
- Trump’s obsession with “obliteration” is highlighted, ignoring complex realities in favor of simply “bombing” Iran’s military capacity.
- Joanna (laughing): "I love the idea that he's sitting there going, I'm obliterating. Obliterating." (04:06)
- Michael: “In each context, it's the word ‘obliterate,’ right? Just remember, always remember, constantly remember, Trump is a simple Mach.” (04:20)
Unintended Consequences:
- Trump is surprised by Iranian reprisals and economic fallout, particularly oil prices and regional instability.
- Joanna: "He seems completely blindsided by the fact that Iran would have any kind of response." (06:58)
- Michael: "He was actually told that [a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz] could happen, but his response was, it won't happen because we're going to obliterate them first." (08:39)
Political Trap:
- Trump has created a no-win scenario: “He can’t stay in Iran because oil is going crazy...but at the same time, he can’t get out.” (16:11)
- The regime endures, opposition is suppressed, and the nuclear threat persists.

2. Inside Trump's Head: Delusion and Deflection

Making Up Conversations:
- Trump claims a former president told him, “I wish I could have done what you’ve done” regarding Iran. The press challenges him, but he refuses to name names; all living ex-presidents deny such contact.
- Joanna: “He’s just in his own world. He would like a president to have said this to him.” (12:57)
- Michael: “He would tell this absolute untruth, no relationship to reality...you would think that he would truly be hung for this.” (13:29)
Blame Game Begins:
- As problems worsen, Trump starts firing people (Kristi Noem, Rick Grenell) and looks for scapegoats to avoid blame falling on himself.
- Michael: “Blame, the need to blame, not for any specific reason, but because he feels if he doesn’t blame someone, the blame might come to him.” (29:32)

3. Infighting and MAGA Fractures

Rifts in the Coalition:
- Michael outlines how right-wing ranks are splitting, with Tulsi Gabbard and Tucker Carlson at odds with pro-Israel party lines (02:25).
Neoconservative Influence:
- Marco Rubio, as a "classic neocon," is described as the architect behind the war posture, with Trump influenced to play the "obliterator." (20:34)
- Michael: “Marco Rubio is an obliterator...Let’s go in, let’s bomb them and use all our military might to get rid of the bad guys.” (20:34)
Comparison to Iraq:
- Joanna: “Just because he’s a neocon doesn’t mean the war is going to end up any better than it did for the neocons who went into Iraq.” (21:37)
- Michael: “The neocons are never in a position...saying, oh my God, we were wrong…From Marco Rubio’s point of view, the world becomes an infinitely better, more promising, more manageable place without the mullahs.” (21:45)

4. The Role of Key Players

Susie Wiles:
- Key organizational force in the White House, recently announced breast cancer diagnosis that could distract her from duties.
- Joanna: “To the extent this administration was different from the last...that has to do with Susie Wiles.” (37:18)
RFK Jr.:
- Appointed to head health efforts for political expediency, but his anti-vaccine stances are now deemed a liability; speculated he may be fired soon. (40:44)
- Michael: “I think...he's gonna get fired...The anti-vax thing is not a winning position...the way to get out from under is to get RFK Jr. out.” (40:52)
Jared Kushner:
- Not formally in the administration, but exerts massive influence, especially regarding the Middle East and Trump’s policy (48:48).
- Michael: “He is the son in law who ate the father in law...his positioning. He is the chief advisor and Chief negotiator on all things...certainly on all things in the Middle East.” (49:24)

5. Trump vs. Newsom & The Question of Literacy

Mocking “learning disabilities”:
- Trump launches an attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s dyslexia.
- Trump (clip): “I don't want...I think a president should not have learning disabilities. Okay. And I know it's highly controversial...” (31:20)
Projection:
- Discussion of persistent rumors about Trump’s own challenges with reading—“voraciously unread,” possibly dyslexic or illiterate.
- Michael: “There was some clear problem with his ability to, to focus on and to absorb written information.” (34:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Trump's War Mentality:
- Michael: “Trump is a simple Mach...he got to the yes, can we obliterate? So now he's pissed. We're obliterating. What do you want me to do?” (04:30)
On the No-Win Iran Situation:
- Michael: “He can't stay because those problems will increase almost on a geometric basis...But he can't get out because...fundamental goals...none of them have been met.” (16:11)
On Trump's Delusional Boasts:
- Michael: "The fact that he would tell this absolute untruth, no relationship to reality is...well, you would think that he would truly be hung for this." (13:29)
On the MAGA Fracture:
- Michael: “The message that he's sending there is the right wing fundamentally anti Semitic Israel is calling all the shots message.” (01:51)
On Blame Culture:
- Michael: “Things are going wrong, therefore someone should be blamed. Clearly not him. So what do you do when the reflex begins?” (25:08)
On Jared Kushner:
- Michael: “Jared came out of it having raised $2 billion from literally from his work in the White House...he is the chief advisor and the Chief negotiator on all matters Middle east.” (49:32)

Important Timestamps

01:01–02:24: Discussion of Joe Kent resignation and MAGA coalition fractures
03:30–06:39: Inside Trump's head; obsession with “obliteration” and his reaction to White House dissidents
08:39–09:46: Strait of Hormuz blockade, Trump’s inability to plan for Iranian retaliation
12:02–16:11: Trump’s false claim about ex-presidents’ approval; discussion of the unsolvable Iran problem
20:34–23:11: Marco Rubio’s influence; neoconservative thinking vs. reality
29:32–32:16: The blame game begins; dismissals in the administration
37:18–40:14: Susie Wiles’ role and illness
40:44–44:24: RFK Jr.'s liability within the administration
49:24–51:35: Jared Kushner’s continuing influence and Middle East financial dealings
31:20–34:44: Trump’s attack on Gavin Newsom’s dyslexia and the question of his own literacy

Conclusion

Michael Wolff paints a picture of a presidency beset by spiraling crises—both foreign and domestic—while Trump lapses further into isolation, delusion, and blame-shifting. The MAGA coalition is fracturing, Pyrrhic policies are threatening Republican unity, and even usually stalwart allies are rethinking their loyalty. With key administration figures either being scapegoated or sidelined, Wolff argues that the wheels are coming off Trump’s presidency and recovery looks impossible.

For more on Susie Wiles’ White House role, listen to the Daily Beast's special episode from this past Saturday.