The right-leaning Wall Street Journal editorial board predicted a potential encounter between President Trump and special counsel Robert Mueller would likely harm the White House due to a lack of preparation by Trump.
In an editorial published Monday night, the paper said the controversy over an alleged affair between Trump and adult film actress Stormy Daniels is feeding a public perception that his personal life is undermining his presidency and that his lack of self-discipline is only compounding the problem.
“Mr. Trump can’t retain the best legal counsel because no one wants a client who ignores all advice. He wants to answer questions from Mr. Mueller but probably won’t prepare enough to avoid even accidental self-incrimination.,” the Journal said. “The Stormy Daniels case is typical of Mr. Trump’s pre-presidential behavior in thinking he can, with enough threats and dissembling, get away with anything. He’s never understood that a president can’t behave that way, and this may be the cause of his downfall.”
The White House has denied the allegations by Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, and though Trump has publicly said he wants to speak with Mueller, who is investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, his lawyers have reportedly been working to narrow the spoke of what an interview might entail.
