Nov 27, 2019

"Anonymous" author: Trump will hear from me, in my own name

Graphic: Axios

The anonymous "senior Trump administration official" who authored a 2018 New York Times op-ed and a new book against President Trump told a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" session Tuesday they will reveal their identity.

Trump will hear from me, in my own name, before the 2020 election."

— Excerpt from the anonymous writer's Reddit AMA

Details: During the discussion, they defended the right to remain anonymous, saying "anonymity has a long tradition in American politics, as far back as the birth of our Republic."

Although they pledged to reveal their identity, they did not disclose precisely when this would happen.

"I will not keep my identity shrouded in secrecy forever. I am not afraid to use my own name to express concern about the current occupant of the Oval Office. Donald Trump has not heard the last of me. There is more to come."

The big picture: The anonymous writer's book, "A Warning," was released last week after having more preorders than any other nonfiction book in Hachette Book Group history.

Go deeper: Justice Department warns "Anonymous" about NDAs

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Axios

Michelle Obama's bestselling year

Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

Michelle Obama's memoir, "Becoming," will mark one year — 52 weeks — on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller list on Dec. 22.

The big picture: She'll be #4 on the list, two spots ahead of Anonymous, whose "A Warning" ranks for the third week.

Go deeperDec 12, 2019

Rashaan Ayesh

How Trump Jr.'s book sales were supported by bulk GOP purchases

Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

At least nine GOP organizations, Republican candidates and advocacy groups are selling Donald Trump Jr.'s first book, "Triggered," boosting his sales and sending him to the top of the New York Times' bestseller list for nonfiction, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: The candidates and groups are recouping their cash through donations, so the story is mostly valuable as an interesting look at how these books make the Times bestseller list.

Go deeperNov 28, 2019

Axios

Vindman refuses to answer questions amid fear of outing whistleblower

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman faced a round of questioning from House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) over people with whom he discussed the July 25 call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Why it matters: After Vindman said he discussed the call — as a part of his position on the National Security Council — with State Department official George Kent and an unnamed intelligence official, the questioning devolved into a squabble over the impeachment inquiry's rules protecting the identity of the whistleblower.

Go deeperNov 19, 2019