The Daily Beast Podcast I Know Why Trump's Presidency Is Doomed: Wolff
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Mar 18, 2026 
Michael Wolff, author and journalist known for close-access political reporting, analyzes fractures in Trump’s coalition and the Iran war. He explains Trump’s fixation on “obliteration” as proof of success. They explore internal power struggles, Jared Kushner’s growing influence, and why mounting crises could make the presidency unravel.
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Trump's Obliteration Mindset
- Donald Trump is fixated on the idea of "obliteration" and interprets military assurances as proof of success.
- Michael Wolff explains Trump hears "yes we can obliterate" from generals and treats that as the whole mission, ignoring complex political and economic fallout.
Obliteration Won't End The Regime
- "Obliteration" solves Trump's internal logic but ignores downstream consequences like oil spikes and an entrenched regime.
- Wolff notes even heavy strikes won't topple a 50-year-old Iranian regime without soldiers, so military success doesn't equal political victory.
Invented Praise To Validate Policy
- Trump fabricates endorsements to fit his narrative, claiming a former president told him "I wish I'd done what you've done."
- Wolff traces this to Trump's inward logic: if others would've acted, his actions are validated even when the claim proves false.