Episode Summary: “Real Possibility’ Trump Seeks 3rd Term: Wolff”

Podcast: Inside Trump’s Head
Hosts: Michael Wolff & Joanna Coles
Date: October 17, 2025

Overview

This episode dives deep into the current state of Donald Trump’s presidency, with a focus on his authoritarian tendencies, the escalating consolidation of power, the Supreme Court’s role in altering the political landscape, and the chilling prospect of Trump seeking a third term. Michael Wolff, Trump’s definitive biographer, and Joanna Coles, the incisive Daily Beast editor, deliver an unvarnished look inside “Trump’s head,” dissecting his motives, maneuvers, and the consequences for American democracy.

Key Discussion Points

1. Authoritarian Moves & the "Third Term” Prospect

• Authoritarian Style: Wolff opens by describing Trump’s ongoing efforts to target political enemies, seize control over institutions, and lock in any mechanisms that ensure his grip on power.

  “These are the moves of an authoritarian. Clearly I think that it becomes a very real possibility that he will undo the impediments to a third term.”
  (Michael, 02:09)

• Mercurial Governance: Trump’s behavior is explained as being non-strategic; driven by personal impulses and whims rather than cause and effect.

  “A mercurial figure is doing whatever he wants to do without regard to consequences. There is no cause and effect. What happens is just what happens in this man's mind…his desires of the moment.”
  (Michael, 03:06)

• Staying in Power at All Costs: The hosts discuss the idea that Trump, by breaking so many political and legal norms, makes it necessary for himself to remain in power to avoid retribution.

  “In order to avoid retribution, he has to stay in power. That is the nature of the game that is being played.”
  (Michael, 21:31)

2. Money, Influence, and Political Access

• ‘Bribe’ Opportunities: Trump’s approach to fundraising is described as a “series of opportunities in which you can bribe him”—from Truth Social investments to White House ballroom sponsorships.

  “What Trump has done with enormous success and shamelessness is to create opportunities in which you can bribe him.”
  (Michael, 05:14)

• Transactional Politics: Access is the chief product for sale, with corporations and donors paying for favor and protection, not just branding.

  “To be on the favored side of a mercurial president who could do anything to you with one social media post could cost you hundreds of millions in your share price... there is virtually no constraint on how he is willing to use his power.”
  (Michael, 07:55)

3. Supreme Court, Voting Rights, and Redistricting

• Gutting the Voting Rights Act: Supreme Court is reportedly poised to significantly weaken protections, allowing for gerrymandering that could block Democratic control of the House.

  “The Supreme Court appears ready to gut what remains of the Voting Rights act, which will mean a reconfiguration of enough districts…to, if not guarantee a midterm victory, go a long way to that end.”
  (Michael, 10:25)

• Racial Politics: The practical outcome is to disenfranchise Black voters and reinforce Republican dominance, especially in the South.

  “So now…the Supreme Court says we don’t have to do that, that anymore. So you can…create those white districts, white majority districts which will vote Republican…that of course, effectively disenfranchises black voters.”
  (Michael, 14:45)

4. Democratic Opposition: Weakness and Hopelessness

• Lack of Message: The Democrats are perceived as failing to communicate a compelling alternative to Trump, often defaulting to ‘not Trump’ rhetoric.

  “There is no message. What is the message? The message is I am better than the Trump people…that’s a reasonable message, but…I am not louder…clearer…more original…more clever…”
  (Michael, 29:38)

• Legal and Political Traps: The Court’s moves complicate the Democrats’ already difficult path, with redistricted maps making electoral victories increasingly unlikely.

  "You look at a map and, and if you suddenly have the map itself turn against you, good luck."
  (Michael, 20:06)

5. Attacks on Institutions and Opponents

• DOJ and FBI Repurposed: Trump has installed loyalists, including former personal lawyers and controversial picks, to head institutions like the DOJ and FBI, targeting his perceived enemies.

  “He’s completely not nobbled the DOJ, which is now run by two of his former personal lawyers. And he’s put in Kash Patel, a former T shirt salesman, to run the FBI Keystone Cash, as we call him…”
  (Co-host, 24:35)

• Expanding Enemy Lists: Names like John Bolton, James Comey, Jack Smith, Letitia James, Lisa Cook, Adam Schiff, and other prominent figures are discussed as current targets.

  "No, no. We're in entirely new territory here.…I am newly alarmed in a way I haven't been."
  (Michael, 25:33)

6. Rupert Murdoch, Media, and Power Realignment

• Murdoch's Dilemma: Despite personal distaste for Trump, Murdoch is said to have “gone full MAGA,” with his media empire balancing between defending Trump and selective aggression (e.g., on the Epstein Birthday Letter saga).

  “Now, however, it appears that Rupert Murdoch, like much of the business community has gone, is going full MAGA.”
  (Michael, 32:55)

• Litigation and Business Ties: The intersection of litigation, business opportunities (including TikTok), and political favor create a convoluted, transactional relationship.

  “There’s tremors in the company that…Rupert in his new MAGA hat might be more loyal to Trump than to his newspapers, which would be staggering…”
  (Michael, 38:06)

7. Public Protest and Civic Response

• Despondency About Protest: The hosts express skepticism about the efficacy of current protests, stressing that only massive, historic acts might shift the narrative.

  “How do you stage an effective protest here?...Ten million people, however, in Washington would be a moment in history.”
  (Michael, 26:28)

8. Anecdotes & Listener Q&A

• White House Ballroom and Bribery: Listeners submit tongue-in-cheek questions about the White House ballroom being branded by corporate sponsors—used to underscore the transactional nature of Trump’s operations.

  “If you're invited to the state dinner, you might get Caterpillar…the industrial machinery company sponsoring your napkin ring…”
  (Co-host, 41:48)

• Inside MAGA Mike Johnson: Listeners question how House Speaker Johnson reconciles Trump’s demands with his professed Christian values.

  “Obviously, he only has one master, and.” “It’s not God.” “Jesus Christ.”
  (Co-host & Michael, 46:07–46:21)

• Chandelier Anecdote: Trump cornering a visitor at the White House about what kind of chandelier gives the best light ("gold," naturally) is recounted to illustrate his peculiar obsessions.

  “How much do you know about chandeliers? Because I know a lot about chandeliers…Gold chandelier gives the best light.”
  (Co-host, 44:42)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Authoritarian Warning (02:09):

  “These are the moves of an authoritarian. Clearly I think that it becomes a very real possibility that he will undo the impediments to a third term.”
  (Michael Wolff)

• On Bribery & Access (05:14):

  “What Trump has done with enormous success and shamelessness is to create opportunities in which you can bribe him.”
  (Michael Wolff)

• On the Voting Rights Act and Race (14:45):

  “…the Supreme Court says we don’t have to do that, that anymore…so you can…create those white districts…which will vote Republican…that disenfranchises black voters.”
  (Michael Wolff)

• Murdoch’s Shift (32:55):

  “Now, however, it appears that Rupert Murdoch, like much of the business community has gone, is going full MAGA…”
  (Michael Wolff)

• Third Term Realism (21:31):

  “If he has four years of dominating government, all branches of government… I think that it becomes a very real possibility that he will undo the impediments to a third term.”
  (Michael Wolff)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:09] Major authoritarian signals; prospect of third term
• [05:14] Discussion of fundraising and Trump’s “bribe economy”
• [10:25] Supreme Court and gutting the Voting Rights Act
• [14:45] Racial implications of redistricting and disenfranchisement
• [21:31] Wolff revises his thinking: third term is a “real possibility”
• [24:35] DOJ, FBI, and targeting personal enemies
• [32:55] Rupert Murdoch’s personal feelings versus political alignment
• [38:06] Murdoch-Trump legal and business entanglements
• [41:44] Listener Q&A: third term, ballroom branding, and MAGA leadership

Tone and Closing Reflections

The tone throughout is candid, sometimes darkly wry, bordering on alarmist but always rooted in insider perspective. The hosts express genuine alarm as real political norms are upended and elite connections (Murdoch, the Supreme Court, business leaders) reinforce Trump’s dominance. The episode ends with listener questions and a reminder that civic responses—protests, political engagement—must go well beyond the current state of reaction if there’s to be any hope of effective pushback.

Final Words:

“Who knows? The world could change tomorrow.” (Michael, 43:30)

For those who missed this episode:
Expect an unfiltered, sharply intelligent, and uniquely worrying conversation that combines White House intrigue, behind-the-curtain machinations, and sobering warnings about the future of American democracy under Trump—possibly for longer than you think.