This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
US President Donald Trump is facing a double whammy in the form of two upcoming books that could potentially damage his re-election chances. The first book, The Room Where It Happened, is written by John Bolton, Trump's sacked security adviser, and is set to be released in early summer. The book is expected to be a damning commentary on Trump's presidency, with Bolton detailing his experiences working with the President.
The second book, Too Much, and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man, is written by Mary Trump, the President's niece. The book is also set to be released in early summer and is expected to provide a unique insight into Trump's family dynamics and how they may have contributed to his presidency.
Both books are expected to be highly critical of Trump and could potentially sway public opinion ahead of the November elections. However, the reception to the books may be different in Africa, where speaking out against a powerful leader is often met with criticism and even persecution.
As the author notes, in African societies, a niece who speaks out against a greedy uncle may be castigated as un-African, and a sacked official who speaks out against their president may face imprisonment or other forms of retribution.
Despite these challenges, the author believes that the books could have a significant impact on Trump's re-election chances, particularly if they are able to reach a wide audience and provide a nuanced understanding of the President's presidency.
