President Trump said in a soon-to-be published book that he believes the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election has helped solidify his base of supporters.
Trump spoke with his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and deputy campaign manager, David Bossie, for their upcoming book “Trump’s Enemies,” according to a copy of their book obtained by The Washington Post.
The president said in an edited transcript of the interview that appears in the book that the Mueller investigation has helped him politically, according to The Post.
{mosads}”I think it makes my base stronger,” Trump said. “I would have never said this to you. But I think the level of love now is far greater than when we won. I don’t know, what do you think, Mike?”
“As strong or stronger,” replied Vice President Pence, who also took part in some of the interview.
The book reportedly echoes many of Trump’s complaints about the Mueller investigation, the intelligence community, the media and GOP lawmakers who have been critical of the president.
Trump has repeatedly decried the Mueller investigation as a “witch hunt,” and claimed that the special counsel and his team have conflicts of interest. He has not elaborated on the latter claim.
The president’s legal team last week submitted written answers to some questions from Mueller, but Trump has indicated he is unlikely to sit for an in-person interview with the special counsel.
Mueller’s investigation has thus far yielded four guilty pleas from former Trump associates, and he has obtained indictments against more than 20 Russian nationals for their alleged efforts to influence the 2016 election.