As Election Day approached in the fall of 2020, Wall Street Journal White House Correspondent Michael Bender wasn’t sure how to feel. On the one hand, after five years of all Trump everything, he was wrung dry. On the other, he had a book about Trump to write. It was his first book and he had gotten a small advance so he wasn’t counting on a blockbuster, but every writer wants their book to succeed, especially if it’s their first. “Personally, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to happen,” Bender told me when I asked him if he had ever considered what a Trump loss would mean for his career. “If, like most Americans, I were voting with my pocketbook, I would vote Trump to win because that’s job security and he’s a great story. But I was just so exhausted.”
Try Puck for free
Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.
Already a member? Log In
- Daily articles and breaking news
- Personal emails directly from our authors
- Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
- Unlimited access to archives
- Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
- Exclusive access to Puck merch
- Early bird access to new editorial and product features
- Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors
Exclusive to Inner Circle only
Latest Articles from Washington
French Hill Has Eyes
Anti-Anti-Weaponizaton Blowback & What White Women Want
Trump’s New Rules for Radicals
G.O.P. Jitters in Iowa and New Jersey
Hill Rebellion & The Platner Files
Revenge of the Normie Libs
The Makings of a House YOLO Caucus
Get access to this story
Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.
Latest Articles from Washington
The G.O.P.’s Pulte Problem
Murphy’s Law
Slush Fund Showdown & Primary Tea Leaves
Dems Reckon With the Platner Oppo
The Mamdani Betrayal & Trump Endorsement Games
Senate Republicans Plot Their Revenge on Trump
A.I. Hallucinations on the Hill
You have 1 free article Left
To read this full story and more, start your 14 day free trial today →
Already a member? Log In
Get access to this story
Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.
Already a Member? Sign in
Latest Articles from Washington
Schrödinger’s War
The Freedom Caucus Crossroads & The Lead Left Mystery
Texas Hold ’Em
More From Georgia & Redistricting Whiplash
Is Xavier Becerra the Best California Can Do?
Putin on the Fritz