Trump Quote by Michael Wolff
““He sent his new press secretary, Sean Spicer—whose personal mantra would shortly become “You can’t make this shit up”—to argue his case in a media moment that turned Spicer, quite a buttoned-down political professional, into a national joke, which he seemed destined to never recover from. To boot, the president blamed Spicer for not making the million phantom souls seem real.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff, 2018
The president’s choice of a press secretary with a sensationalist mantra turned a professional into a public ridicule, highlighting mismanagement and blame shifting.
In simple terms: A controversial press secretary became a joke, showing leadership flaws.
Avoid appointing sensationalists to critical roles.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- campaign communications
- press briefings
- media crises
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the risks of using sensationalist messaging?
- How can leaders maintain dignity in communication?
Relying on shock value can erode credibility and trust.