Bob Woodward writes in his recently released book War that Donald Trump is “not only the wrong man for the presidency, he is also unfit to lead the country”.
The veteran journalist also described Trump in that book as “far worse than Richard Nixon” — a man Woodward and Carl Berstein as Washington Post reporters famously exposed in the Watergate scandal, which would see Nixon resign from the presidency.
Despite those comments, in the hours after Trump was announced president-elect, Woodward told 7.30 there are reasons for Americans to hope that Trump in his second term as president may grow into the role.
“People grow, even old men,” Woodward told 7.30.
“He has to know he has an opportunity to rise above himself in so many of his instincts and impulses, and if he does that, he could really do something.”
Legendary journalist Bob Woodward is cautiously optimistic about Trump’s second presidency. (ABC News: Supplied)
During his first presidency, COVID-19 hit and Trump’s own comments on how to deal with the virus were contradicted by his Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci.
Trump also withdrew America from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, while he brokered meetings with strong men leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un.
Trump’s politics have at times been considered divisive but during the 2024 election he captured the popular vote for the first time in his three presidential races, sweeping the swing states.
And if that many Americans believe in him then Woodward is willing to give the man who proudly declared pre-election — “Kamala, you’re fired” — a chance.
Kamala Harris delivering her concession speech. (Reuters: Hannah McKay)
Questioned about his optimism about a president-elect who has been found guilty in a criminal trial and lost a civil litigation suit in the past year, Woodward said he hoped that the past few months may have changed Trump for the better.
“There are lots of barriers, his past and his behaviour but I think it’s possible [he changes],” Woodward said.
“There is a point in my book War. This summer after he’s been shot … and he has that bandage over his ear, and he to the crowd, gave the following speech:
“The discord and division of our society must be healed. As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a sheer distant destiny. We rise together, or we fall apart. I am running to be president of all Americans, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning only half America.
“He changed in that very speech and said some very dark things at the same time, but let’s give him a chance.”
Ruled and ruling by instinct
While Woodward is hoping for change, he does acknowledge it may be difficult.
He has known Trump for years, when Trump was a New York businessman and real estate mogul, who Woodward says was guided by an instinct that has remained prevalent throughout his career.
Donald Trump in the 1990s. Woodward has known him more than 30 years.
(Reuters: Joyce George)
It has not always been well received.
In 1989 he took out newspaper advertisements calling for New York State to implement the death penalty after the Central Park Five began to confess to the rape and assault of jogger Trisha Mieli, before they were convicted.
They would years later have their convictions vacated. Trump said in 2019 he would not apologise for the ads.
While Trump is sometimes controversial, his instincts have not just once but twice led him to the White House.
They may have never been more spot on than the moments following his own near demise.
It is a moment that will be etched in history.
Woodward says Trump’s belief in his instincts can be both a blessing and a curse.
Bob Woodward is best known for his reporting on the Watergate scandal with Carl Bernstein. (Supplied: Lisa Berg)
When he and Bernstein interviewed Trump more than 30 years ago Trump spoke of instinct and did the same during an Oval Office interview during his first term.
“He’s got a lot to answer for,” Woodward said.
“Is he going to know that, or is he going to think ‘now I’m president, I’ve got all the power’ and [will] laud it over people in a dangerous way?
“The office of president changes the person. How did it change Donald Trump, first time around?
“To give him credit we had a pretty good economy and we had no war. That’s a big deal for a country, for people who have to serve in the military but he also made lots of mistakes, and his character was revealed in ways that really foreshadow a danger for the country.”
Europe on edge?
The potential dangers of a Trump presidency could be felt wider than the United States.
Ukraine is one country that has every reason to be nervous.
Trump has in the past suggested he could quickly end Russia’s war and called Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “the greatest salesman on Earth” for having solicited and received billions of dollars of US military aid.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine is something Trump has said he could end. (Reuters: Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin)
Woodward says that Trump “likes” Russian President Vladimir Putin but that the president-elect must consider what any ramifications of trying to broker a peace deal could be.
Putin’s goals for Russia outside of Ukraine remain unclear but Woodward says if Ukraine gave up any land it could set a dangerous precedent.
“Trump is going to [have to] listen to other people, and Ukraine is really important,” Woodward said.
“If we are going to enter a world where a country like Russia can attack and territorially acquire another country, It’s very interesting.
“If Russia takes over Ukraine, then Ukraine has a 315 mile (506km) border with Poland.
“I talked with the President of Poland (Andrzej) Duda, who is worried to death that Ukraine will fall to Russia and he reminds me, when I talk with him, that the last war, it came from the other side, Germany, and now it could come from Russia.”
Watch the full interview between Bob Woodward and 7.30’s Sarah Ferguson on ABC TV and ABC iview.