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Inside Trump's Head

The Daily Beast, Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles

Character is destiny and no character has defined or deformed the 21st century more than Donald Trump. In this new podcast series, the definitive Trump biographer Michael Wolff joins forces with the Daily Beast’s provocateur-in-chief Joanna Coles to crack open the psyche of the man the world can’t stop watching. Coles and Wolff balance candor with curiosity as they dissect Trump’s thoughts and actions and try to answer the ultimate question: what drives the most powerful man alive? This is the analysis no one else has the access, authority, or ambition to deliver. Ignore it at your peril.

New episodes every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday; early drops on YouTube.

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S1 · E173
Today · 48 min
These Are the 10 Things that Terrify Trump Most
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles reveal the fears they believe drive Donald Trump—from being exposed as unintelligent and unable to absorb information to his dread of rejection, ridicule, loneliness, and losing the spotlight. Wolff recounts the extraordinary efforts allegedly made to keep Trump’s academic records hidden, explains why ordinary conversation can leave him vulnerable, and describes a president who needs an audience but recoils from genuine human contact. As they trace how these insecurities shape his attacks, obsessions, and refusal to accept defeat, Wolff offers a chilling prediction of how Trump could preserve his power after leaving office—and why his hunger for attention may never let him disappear. #ad Download Saily's app and use code beast at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/beast #ad For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to https://Smalls.com/HEAD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E172
Friday · 1 hr 5 min
This Is Why Trump's Aides Endure his Endless Rage
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles take a revealing look inside Donald Trump’s world of flunkies, fear and humiliation, where cabinet officials, billionaires and tech titans learn how far they have to bend to stay in his good graces. They examine why figures like Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance and Pete Hegseth have accepted radically different versions of the same bargain, and how Trump’s unpredictable mix of praise and fury keeps those around him off balance. They also explore his treatment of women, including the leaked images of Trump berating Natalie Harp, before Wolff explains why, in Trump’s second term, almost nobody around him can afford to believe they are his equal. #ad For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to https://Smalls.com/HEAD. #ad Download SAILY's app and use code beast at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/beast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E171
Wednesday · 1 hr 1 min
This Is Exactly What Humiliated Trump Will Do Next
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dig into what Donald Trump’s political future looks like as the midterms approach, from Republicans increasingly distancing themselves from Trump to his apparent determination to double down rather than retreat. They examine Trump’s taxpayer-funded campaign ad, the Texas Senate race, and the growing fight over AI data centers before turning to the darker story of Jeffrey Epstein—and Wolff’s firsthand account of Epstein’s fear of Trump becoming president, the collapse of their friendship, and the extraordinary events surrounding Epstein’s arrest and death. As Wolff revisits what Epstein told him about Trump and why he believed his old friend was capable of anything, the conversation opens up a much darker side of Trump’s history that is impossible to ignore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E170
September 27 · 1 hr 17 min
This Is How Idiot Trump Is Being Played by China
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles take a closer look at Donald Trump’s encounter with Xi Jinping and what China may have learned from a president they see as unusually susceptible to flattery, especially when it comes to the delicate question of Taiwan. They also dissect Melania Trump’s new women’s network, the growing role of billionaires around the White House, and the extraordinary rise of Kimberly Guilfoyle from Fox News to ambassador to Greece, including the business and personal relationships now surrounding her diplomatic role. Then, the conversation turns to Trump’s escalating fight with the press and the uncertain future of CNN as its ownership changes hands, before Wolff and Coles weigh in on the memoirs of Bob Chapek and Ari Emanuel and what they reveal about a rapidly changing media and entertainment industry. #ad INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to https://incogni.com/beast 🛡️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E169
September 25 · 59 min
This Is Trump's Twisted New Fixation: Wolff
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack Trump’s latest threats to “annihilate” Iran, including the bizarre White House effort to find him a new word after “obliterate” apparently lost its punch. They discuss Trump’s UN week showdown with world leaders, Xi Jinping’s visit to the White House, Melania Trump’s new women’s initiative, and RFK Jr.’s extraordinary $4 million book deal. They also examine the devastating testimony from families affected by ICE shootings in Minneapolis and what it could mean as the midterms approach, before turning to the widening Republican Senate map and the chaos surrounding Trump’s proposed White House ballroom. With Trump declaring “I am the code” as questions swirl around the building’s safety regulations, Michael and Joanna trace the larger pattern behind a president who refuses to accept limits, rules or anyone telling him what he can and cannot do. #ad INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to https://incogni.com/beast 🛡️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E168
September 23 · 59 min
Why Floundering Trump Will Sell Out on World Stage
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles return to dissect Donald Trump’s latest battle with the press, his launch of Trump TV, and the high-stakes arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House. They examine why Trump keeps turning the media into his enemy, what his escalating wars and increasingly precarious relationship with China could mean for the United States, and how a meeting with Xi could reshape the balance of power around Taiwan and beyond. They also look at Trump’s claims about military installations, his reliance on spectacle and conflict to dominate the news cycle, and the looming midterms, where Democrats may be tempted to read too much into Trump’s current political troubles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E167
September 20 · 1 hr 5 min
Why Trump’s Aides Are Finally Turning Against Him
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dig into what may be the most revealing signs yet of a White House struggling to manage Donald Trump, as his own advisers begin publicly pushing back on his dismissal of AI concerns and his refusal to confront Republican vulnerability ahead of the midterms. They examine Trump’s increasingly personal battle with the Kennedy Center, including his reported plans to demolish it, before turning to his fixation on 1950s battleships, the Supreme Court, and the idea that everyone in government ultimately works for him. They also discuss the Epstein files, soaring gas prices, the fallout from the Iran war, Trump’s claims about Greenland, and the looming constitutional questions surrounding the next Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E166
September 18 · 46 min
Why Trump’s Biggest Weakness Is About to Doom Him
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles examine Donald Trump's growing political troubles as rising prices, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and his own economic policies threaten to make affordability his biggest liability ahead of the midterms. They discuss Trump's pressure on the Federal Reserve, the consequences of his tariffs and war policies, and why his administration's approach may be fueling the very problems he claims he wants to solve. Plus, Melania Trump's surprising enthusiasm for AI, the latest turmoil at the Kennedy Center, and the court's refusal to let Trump put his name on the building. They also take a closer look at Kash Patel's purge of senior FBI agents, the changing standards for joining the bureau, and Lee Greenwood's wife's nomination as ambassador to Barbados. As Trump surrounds himself with loyalists and pushes aside voices that might challenge him, Michael and Joanna consider whether his own decision-making is setting the stage for a political reckoning. #ad Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/ith to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. #ad Try QUO for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/BEAST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E165
September 16 · 1 hr 2 min
This Is Why Cry-Baby Trump Is in Terminal Tantrum
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles look at Donald Trump’s escalating battles with the Supreme Court, the collapse of the Kennedy Center under his control, and his increasingly aggressive response to the AI debate, where Trump has declared that “whoever wins AI wins” while threatening critics and accusing them of conspiracy. They also examine Trump’s rollback of climate protections, his approach to conflict as a political strategy, and the extraordinary allegations surrounding Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding and its Russian connections. Plus, Trump’s threat against Oman, the consequences of burning through missile supplies in Iran, Jared Kushner’s transformation of American diplomacy into a business operation, and what a post-Trump administration could look like if Democrats make major gains in the midterms. #ad Unlock your best hair & skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on iRESTORE with code BEAST at https://irestore.com/BEAST! #irestorepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E164
September 13 · 1 hr 13 min
This Is How Trump Staged His Own Political Funeral
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack Donald Trump’s trip to Ireland, his apparent struggle to stay awake at a 9/11 memorial, and the increasingly conspicuous signs that the president’s hold on his party may be starting to weaken. They dig into JD Vance’s careful balancing act between loyalty to Trump and positioning himself as his successor, including the growing machinery behind a potential 2028 campaign, before turning to RFK Jr.’s surprisingly commanding performance at the Republican mini-convention and the extraordinary political path that brought him into Trump’s orbit. Ted Cruz also makes his inevitable return, while Trump’s own reaction to the prospect of a Republican successor looms over the entire discussion. Finally, Michael and Joanna take a close look at the new E. Jean Carroll documentary, her decision to come forward, the consequences she faced, and why her story takes on an even more powerful dimension when told in her own words. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E163
September 11 · 1 hr 2 min
Why Trump's Got Reasons to Slip Natalie Harp Cash
INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to https://incogni.com/beast 🛡️ #ad Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dissect Donald Trump’s latest spectacle, from his bizarre claim that he was a hero at Ground Zero following 9/11 to the half-empty Republican convention in Dallas that Trump insists was packed. They look at why Trump is dragging himself into the midterm elections despite his deeply unpopular standing, and Wolff argues that the bigger strategy is to make sure the Republican Party never imagines life without him. They also examine Trump’s escalating war with Iran, his efforts to sow confusion around mail-in voting, and his habit of announcing major policies and promises in the moment, including $5,000 checks for every American adult if Republicans win. Then comes the strangest mystery of all: why Trump handed out tens of thousands of dollars in cash to members of his inner circle, including a $45,000 payment to Natalie Harp, and Wolff offers his theory about what those payments may have bought. The episode also gets into Jimmy Kimmel’s fight with the Trump administration, the growing power of YouTube over traditional television, and why the media business itself may be undergoing a transformation that Trump is accelerating. #ad For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to https://Smalls.com/HEAD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E162
September 9 · 1 hr 1 min
This Is Why Trump is Addicted to Unhinged AI Slop
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dissect Donald Trump’s latest transformation, from his dramatically darker hair and increasingly bizarre AI images to the social-media strategy that has turned political spectacle into a powerful weapon. They look at Trump’s influence on the surging far right across Europe, why Wolff believes Trump may be the cause rather than merely the symptom of the global populist wave, and whether a Russia-Ukraine peace deal could give Trump the ultimate midterm “October surprise.” They also examine the growing pressure on Pete Hegseth, the extraordinary purge of military leaders, and the leak-hunting campaign inside the Pentagon before turning to Mitch McConnell's continued absence, John Fetterman, and a new breed of politician who treats convention, competence, and even showing up for the job as optional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E161
September 6 · 1 hr 5 min
Diva Trump’s Hair Secrets Exposed: Wolff
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles take on Donald Trump’s increasingly bizarre relationship with Vladimir Putin as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff head to Moscow, asking what Trump’s Russia fixation is really about and why Putin seems so comfortable dealing directly with Trump’s inner circle. They also dissect Trump’s obsession with the Qatari plane, his plans to leave a permanent physical mark on the White House, and the latest battle over his triumphal arch. Then, Maria Bartiromo’s sudden departure from Fox News opens a revealing discussion about her long relationship with Trump and the network’s transformation under the Murdoch family, before Melania Trump’s conspicuous absence from the GOP’s midterm gathering raises fresh questions about the state of the Trump marriage. Finally, Wolff and Coles turn to the chaos at the Pentagon, where dozens of officials are being subjected to lie-detector tests as Pete Hegseth faces mounting questions about his leadership and the military’s ability to function. #ad Free trial at https://shopify.com/dailybeast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E160
September 4 · 1 hr
Why Trump’s Hegseth Problem Exposes His Fatal Flaw
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles look at Donald Trump’s long-standing appetite for power, from his determination to get around courts and regulations to the possibility that he could use his enormous political war chest to maintain influence long after leaving office. They examine the growing crisis around Pete Hegseth, why Trump appears threatened by competence, and how the war with Iran is exposing deeper failures in American leadership. They also trace the economic risks tied to tariffs, interest rates and the massive AI boom, before turning to the increasingly volatile 2026 midterms, dark money, mail-in voting and the presence of U.S. Marshals at polling places. #ad Download SAILY's app and use code beast at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/beast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E159
September 2 · 1 hr 4 min
This Is How Melania Is Profiteering From Trump
Description Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles look at the extraordinary power dynamics surrounding Donald Trump, beginning with Melania Trump’s increasingly independent role—and how she has managed to monetize the position of First Lady while largely avoiding its traditional obligations. They also examine Trump’s White House ballroom and a Supreme Court decision that may allow construction to continue, the president’s attacks on NBC’s Kristen Welker and the growing fear his administration inspires across the media, and Pete Hegseth’s purge of experienced military leaders at a moment of heightened global danger. Then the conversation turns to an unlikely political flashpoint: data centers, as growing public opposition to their enormous demands for power and water collides with Trump’s fierce support for the AI industry—and his own financial interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E158
August 30 · 48 min
Why Trump Is Dooming Himself with MAGA Candidates
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles look ahead to the midterms and ask whether Donald Trump’s political dominance is finally starting to crack—or whether Democrats are getting ahead of themselves. They break down the unreliable polling, Trump’s unusual ability to bring hesitant voters back to his side at the last moment, the races that could determine control of the House and Senate, and the surprising Republican confidence that they can hold key states including Texas. They also examine Trump’s record of backing risky candidates like Ken Paxton, the enormous sums being poured into competitive races, and how Trump is already trying to shape the rules of the election through mail voting restrictions, redistricting and polling-place monitoring. But the most consequential question comes at the end: if Trump loses and declares the election rigged, will the people around him finally distance themselves—or once again follow him beyond the bounds of what is politically acceptable? #ad Head to https://Superpower.com and use code BEAST at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E157
August 28 · 1 hr 8 min
This Is Why Trump Surrounds Himself With Idiots
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles look at the latest signs of chaos inside Trump’s White House, from the administration’s fixation on interest rates and the tensions surrounding the Federal Reserve to the startling questions raised by the CIA chief’s trip to Moscow and the Pentagon’s increasingly strange leadership. They also turn to the extraordinary bubble surrounding Trump, including Natalie Harp’s role in feeding him the information he wants to see, before considering what it all could mean as the 2026 midterms rapidly approach. #ad Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/ith to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E156
August 26 · 53 min
Why Harp’s Special Perk Stunned Trump Staff
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles take on Donald Trump’s latest fixation with image, power, and excess, from his apparent weight gain and the extraordinary Mar-a-Lago golf club buffet to the increasingly curious role of Natalie Harp and her place in Trump’s orbit. They explore why Trump’s celebrity, sexual bravado, and ability to attract devoted followers remain central to his political appeal, before turning to the explosive meeting between Jared Kushner and Hakeem Jeffries that has White House staffers furious and raises an awkward possibility for Trump’s party heading into the midterms. They also look at Trump’s ballroom project, the hidden military machinery beneath the White House, the fate of America’s wild mustangs, and the larger cultural reckoning over football and brain injuries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E155
August 23 · 1 hr 1 min
How Melania Has Abdicated Her First Lady Duties
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles go inside a White House where Melania Trump’s rare appearances, her increasingly lucrative personal brand, and her complicated relationship with Natalie Harp are raising fresh questions about who is really closest to the president. Wolff explains why the press took so long to catch up to the Harp story, why Trump’s legal threats may be doing exactly what they’re designed to do, and how his massive White House ballroom could become a permanent monument to his presidency before the courts ever make a final decision. Then, as Canada’s Mark Carney walks away from Trump’s demands, Wolff reveals why the president may be facing something he hates most: a world that is finally learning how to call his bluff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E154
August 21 · 1 hr 5 min
I Have Natalie Harp's 'Love Letters' to Trump
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles go inside the increasingly bizarre inner workings of Donald Trump’s presidency, beginning with Wolff’s extraordinary account of Natalie Harp’s deeply personal letters to Trump and the alarm they sparked among campaign staff and the Secret Service. They explore how Harp became one of the president’s closest gatekeepers, what her influence says about the people surrounding him, and why Trump’s White House remains driven by loyalty, proximity, and personal obsession. Then, as the war with Iran drags on without a clear endgame, Wolff and Coles turn to Pete Hegseth, his ever-present wife, and the mounting signs of dysfunction at the Pentagon before asking whether a presidency once defined by raw power is now slipping into something far more chaotic: outright farce. #ad If you’re ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. You can start your claim in just a click without having to leave your couch: https://ForThePeople.com/ITH #ad Try QUO for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/BEAST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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