By the Book: Donald J. Trump

Scott Haas
Nov 6 · 2 min read

The author, who is a month away from completing his second term as President, has written, “IT HAPPENED HERE,” an explosive memoir, “because millions of Americans asked me to tell the true story of what it was like to be loved as the greatest President since George Washington, maybe better, I don’t know, that’s for historians to decide, better or as great, I don’t know.”

What books are on your nightstand?

What kind of stupid question is that? I bet your newspaper, which, by the way, is losing so many readers that by the time you read this sentence, another 100,000 will be gone, and then you know what? You won’t have a job.

What’s the last great book you read?

Oh, there are many, so, so many. So many, almost too many to name. You know, I don’t sleep more than a few hours, I’m up working. Working for the American people. I love the American people, and I love America. No one loves America more than me.

Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, what, how).

I’ve always been a phonographic reader: I can look at a page, it goes straight to my memory, and because of that, I can read a book in an hour that would take anyone else at least a month. Which means I read no fewer than twenty books a week, in my bedroom, while eating, taking a bath, what have you. I just read two books during this interview.

What’s your favorite book no one else has heard of?

That would have to be, “The Pitcher in the Rye.”

Do you mean, “The Catcher in the Rye?”

If I meant, “The Catcher in the Rye,” I would have said, “The Catcher in the Rye.”

Which writers today do you admire most?

Well, I loved writing, “It Happened Here,” and I’m sure you did, too, because otherwise there would be no reason for us to be here. Are we done?

Almost. Do you appreciate books that move you intellectually or emotionally?

(Mimics the voice of the interviewer) Do you appreciate books that move you intellectually or emotionally?

Which subjects do you wish more authors would write about?

My life, from the very start, is about being tough. Life isn’t easy. Don’t back down. So, yes, more books about toughness, I agree.

What book might people be surprised to find on your shelves?

Profiles in Courage. Big, big fan of Kennedy, big fan, and when you read my book, and see how it inspired him to write his book, well, that’s big.

You’re organizing a literary dinner party. Which three writers, dead or alive, do you invite?

Noah, because he wrote the Bible. Shakespeare: I mean, who doesn’t love, West Side Story? And me! Because I wrote this book!

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