Why Trump’s Desperate Ploy to Be Serious Is a Sham episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 2, 2026 · 1H 5M

Why Trump’s Desperate Ploy to Be Serious Is a Sham

from The Daily Beast Podcast · host The Daily Beast, Joanna Coles

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles argue that Donald Trump's trip to Camp David wasn't a show of strength but a sign of growing desperation, as he tries to project presidential gravitas while, they contend, becoming trapped in a war he cannot win and surrounded by advisers whose public loyalty masks private disbelief. They break down why Todd Blanche may be discovering the true cost of working for Trump, how a powerful Trump fundraiser is amassing a staggering war chest for his post-White House influence, and why Trump's grip on the Republican Party could outlast his presidency even as his poll numbers slide. Plus, they dissect the unraveling of the James Comey investigation, the bizarre role of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, the dropped charges against Olympian Davey Hearn, and what Mitch McConnell's prolonged absence says about Washington's aging power structure in a conversation that reveals how the spectacle around Trump may be obscuring far more consequential shifts behind the scenes. 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 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/TRUMP #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 2, 2026

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Why Trump’s Desperate Ploy to Be Serious Is a Sham

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