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Meghan McCain Slams Michael Wolff for Reporting Off-the-Record Comments in Book: 'This Is Why People Hate Journalists'

January 11, 2018

When Michael Wolff appeared on ABC's "The View" on Wednesday to discuss his new book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, most of the show's co-hosts appeared to cheer him on, but Meghan McCain was ready with tough questions for the author.

"You know, Michael, your credibility is being questioned. Trump says—" McCain began.

"Remember who my credibility is being questioned by," Wolff interjected.

McCain then listed several journalists from mainstream media outlets and public figures who have questioned, if not rejected, claims made in Wolff's book. She also reminded Wolff that he had to apologize for mixing up names in one part of his book.

She also mentioned that one of the sources who Wolff used for a story that disparages President Donald Trump has fabricated stories in the past.

Wolff first reacted by jokingly apologizing for mixing up names, but he did not respond to McCain's other claims.

Pushed again on how people can trust his quotes, Wolff defended himself, saying "I think you also have to look at the people who are not denying it."

McCain also pressed Wolff multiple times to try and find out whether quotes from the now-deceased former Fox News chief Roger Ailes were on the record.

"Fair question, and I'll tell you what happened," Wolff said. "This was actually an off-the-record dinner. But two things happened—"

"This is why people hate journalists by the way. It's why I don't believe in the concept of off the record, this right here," McCain interjected.

Wolff said that he reported the off-the-record comments because his source, Ailes, had died.

A Washington Post article analyzed Wolff's interview and criticized his comments, saying, "It's almost like Wolff is trying [sic] to make journalists look bad."