President Trump calls quotes in Woodward book ‘frauds’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is decrying quotes and stories in an incendiary book by journalist Bob Woodward as “frauds, a con on the public.”

The Woodward book has already been refuted and discredited by General (Secretary of Defense) James Mattis and General (Chief of Staff) John Kelly. Their quotes were made up frauds, a con on the public. Likewise other stories and quotes. Woodward is a Dem operative? Notice timing?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2018

Trump tweets: “The Woodward book has already been refuted and discredited by General (Secretary of Defense) James Mattis and General (Chief of Staff) John Kelly.”

He adds: “Their quotes were made up frauds, a con on the public. Likewise other stories and quotes. Woodward is a Dem operative? Notice timing?”

Trump comments on Twitter Tuesday come ahead of the publication of Woodward’s book, “Fear: Trump in the White House,” which includes descriptions of current and former aides calling the president an “idiot” and a “liar.”

In a separate statement, the White House is dismissing the book as “nothing more than fabricated stories.”

Press secretary Sarah Sanders says in a statement: “This book is nothing more than fabricated stories, many by former disgruntled employees, told to make the President look bad.”

She adds that President Donald Trump’s accomplishments don’t get enough coverage in the press, saying “Democrats and their allies in the media understand the president’s policies are working and with success like this, no one can beat him in 2020 – not even close.”