Woodward call with Trump references staff (Madeleine Westerhout, Raj Shah, Kellyanne Conway) and Senator Lindsey Graham

BW: I take it very seriously. I’ve done books on eight presidents, going back from Nixon to Obama. Trump: Right. BW: And I learned something about reporting, frankly, Mr. President. Trump: Good. BW: I’ve got to go talk to people and see them outside of the White House and outside of their offices, and gained a lot of insight and documentation. And it’s — you know, it’s a tough look at the world and your administration and you. Trump: Right. Well, I assume that means it’s going to be a negative book. But you know, I’m some — I’m sort of 50 percent used to that. [Laughter] That’s all right. Some are good and some are bad. Sounds like this is going to be a bad one. BW: It was a chance missed, and I don’t know how things work over there in terms of . .. Trump: Very well. We ... BW: ... getting to you. Trump: Well, if you would call Madeleine [Westerhout] in my office ... Did you speak to Madeleine? BW: No, I didn’t. But I... Trump: Madeleine is the key. She’s the secret. Because she’s the person . .. BW: Well, I talked to Raj [Shah] about it. I talked to ... I talked to Kellyanne. Trump: Well, a lot of them are afraid to come and talk, or — you know, they are busy. I’m busy. But I don’t mind talking to you. I would’ve spoken to you. I spoke to you 20 years [ago] and I spoke to you a year and a half or two years ago. [Listen to Woodward and Trump's call on The Post's "Can He Do That?" podcast] BW: A couple of years ago, I understand. Trump: And I certainly don’t mind talking to you, and I wish I could’ve spoken to you. But nobody called my office. I mean, you went through, I guess, different people. ... BW: Well, Mr. President, how can I spend all this time talking to people and — like Kellyanne and Raj and Republican senators? Trump: Who were the senators? No, they never called me about it. BW: Senator [Lindsey] Graham said he had talked to you about talking to me. Now, is that not true? Trump: Senator Graham actually mentioned it quickly in one meeting. BW: Yes. Well, see. And then nothing happened. HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_033318