Sad Secrets of 400lb Man Who Crafts Trump's Insults: Author
White House communications director Steven Cheung has built a reputation for his profanity-laced, scorched-earth style—but author Michael Wolff, one of Cheung's favorite punching bags, thinks his combative persona is just theater.
'Steven is actually a really sweet guy,' said Wolff—whom Cheung once called a 'lying sack of s--t'—on this week's episode of The Daily Beast Podcast.
'There's a sort of tragic feel about (Cheung) because he's so heavy,' Wolff continued, arguing that he has to be 'hidden away' and can't become White House press secretary because the candidate 'has to be a young woman.'
Wolff, who has penned a series of blistering books on President Trump, claimed that during Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, Cheung was 'always collapsing somewhere.'
He cited a specific event at Union Station where he said he witnessed Cheung 'having to be carried out.'
Cheung, a former spokesperson for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fired back at Wolff in a statement to the Daily Beast.
'Michael Wolff clearly suffers from Trump Derangement Syndrome and begged like a dog for an interview for his failed book,' he said. 'The only thing being carried out is his dignity after (he) continues to embarrass and beclown himself in a fleeting attempt to gain relevancy.'
Wolff has grown accustomed to Cheung's attacks, which he believes are all part of a show for Trump, who famously rewards loyalty—and venom.
'Whatever Steven says or does is directed to an audience of one,' the author said. 'He issues these kinds of vituperative comments, which Trump likes. 'That's a good one,' Trump will say.'
'It's performative,' added host Joanna Coles, who was herself described as a 'blithering idiot' and a 'piece of s--t' by Cheung last month, after she questioned the president's eyebrow-raising weight loss claims.
Wolff—also recently hit with the 'blithering idiot' tag—dismissed the insults as 'all boilerplate,' and claimed the White House even called him ahead of time to let him know Cheung would insult him as such.
'It's all being sort of in on the joke here,' Wolff said.
New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast are released every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Follow our new feed on your favorite podcast platform at beast.pub/dailybeastpod and subscribe on YouTube to watch full episodes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Andrew Barth Feldman's Muppet*Vision 3D tribute is absolutely wonderful
Andrew Barth Feldman's Muppet*Vision 3D tribute is absolutely wonderful Since nothing lasts forever and the cruel specter of time claims all things sacred, Disney's Hollywood Studio will shut the doors to Muppet*Vision 3D after Saturday. After more than 30 years of "state-of-the-art" 3D effects and saluting all nations (but mostly America), Muppets maestro Jim Henson's last true masterwork will eventually be replaced with a Monsters, Inc. section of the park and plays its last show this weekend. While the attraction never got the consistent attention of, say, a roller coaster or a landmark dark ride, it's still one of the best experiences Disney Parks ever crafted. It's a testament to Henson's genius that it never lost its zeal in the decades since its opening, and there really wasn't ever anything quite like it to watch in a theater. Last year, I wrote that Muppet*Vision 3D is "a timeless piece of Disney history that should stand for as long as the theme park surrounding it stands, and closing it would feel completely antithetical to the way Disney treats its other classic attractions, with deep reverence and keen understanding of how awful it would be to snuff out that corner of irreplaceable Disney magic forever." Well, Disney Parks clearly didn't read that or, y'know, care, because the attraction is headed to the big theme park in the sky after Saturday's final shows. To help all of us cope with such a colossal loss, actor Andrew Barth Feldman crafted an absolutely brilliant tribute to the Muppets attraction that we know Kermit and the gang would be proud to watch. Seriously, this is just wonderful. Feldman teaming up with Defunctland's Kevin Perjurer to send off Muppet*Vision 3D with a hysterical bang is just the best way any of this could go We're going to miss Henson's great attraction like all get out, but we will fire this up whenever we need a smile... and the YouTube bootleg footage of the attraction itself, which you can watch below as many times as you'd like. RIP Muppet*Vision 3D. We will miss you, your cannon fire, your cranky old men in the balcony, your penguin symphony and your floating cream pies. Sweetums forever.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Prince William Interviews Sir David Attenborough on Camera — and Things Get Deep
Prince William joins Sir David Attenborough for a candid conversation about their shared passion for ocean conservation Attenborough, 99, spotlights the beauty and fragility of marine life in his new documentary Ocean, debuting June 8 on World Oceans Day The release coincides with Prince William's upcoming trip to Monaco, where he'll speak at a major summit on protecting the world's oceansOn the eve of World Oceans Day, Prince William is stepping into the role of TV host — interviewing none other than beloved naturalist Sir David Attenborough in a new short film highlighting the beauty and fragility of the world's oceans. The five-minute conversation, released ahead of Attenborough's upcoming documentary Ocean, sees the two passionate conservationists delve into their shared fascination with the sea and their deep concern for its future. '[The damage done] to the ocean floor is unspeakably awful,' Attenborough says in the clip. 'Something must be done before we destroy this great treasure.' But like William, 42, Attenborough remains optimistic about what can be achieved through greater knowledge of the seas and how to protect them. Some of that comes with the awareness raised by his film. 'We have an entrée into people's front rooms,' he says. The veteran broadcaster, who turned 99 last month (and received birthday wishes from William), also shares lighthearted memories from his early days of underwater filming — including struggling to use an old-fashioned diving helmet — before turning to the urgent message of his new film. Ocean with David Attenborough premieres June 7 on National Geographic and begins streaming June 8 on Hulu and Disney+, coinciding with World Oceans Day. William will also mark the occasion by speaking at a high-level conference on ocean preservation in Monaco. The release of William and Attenborough's conversation follows a new installment in the Prince of Wales' Guardians docuseries on BBC Earth's YouTube channel. The latest episode spotlights Captain José Luis Cesena Calderon, a former illegal fisherman turned conservationist who now protects Mexico's Sea of Cortez from poachers targeting vulnerable species like parrotfish, lobster and octopus. Both projects are part of a growing push by William, 42, to spotlight individuals and communities making a real difference for the planet. It's also central to his environmental legacy project, the Earthshot Prize — where Attenborough sits on the council. One of the Prize's five categories, Revive Our Oceans, has helped fund and scale efforts that have restored over 20,000 square kilometers of marine ecosystems and saved or recycled 2.5 million tonnes of water since 2021, William's office at Kensington Palace says. Their partnership is personal, too. William and Attenborough, who also was close to the prince's grandmother Queen Elizabeth, share a warm bond that stretches back years — including a memorable moment in 2020 when Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, interviewed Attenborough in a charming video from Kensington Palace. The young royals grilled the nature icon with questions like, 'What animal do you think will go extinct next?' Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! In a statement to PEOPLE, Attenborough reflected on the magnitude of what we still don't know — and what's at stake. "My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery," he said. "Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations, and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man.' 'In this film, we share some of those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can be restored to health," he added. Ocean with David Attenborough premieres June 7 on National Geographic and will be available to stream on Hulu on Disney+ on June 8, World Ocean Day. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Live coverage: WWE Worlds Collide 2025 match card, how to watch, results
It's Super Saturday! At least for WWE fans, where we get exciting action both in the afternoon and tonight. We'll lead off with Worlds Collide, a special event featuring some of the biggest stars from WWE, NXT and AAA. Advertisement We'll take you from the opening bell to the final pinfall! And we'll do our best to keep up with the action, which should be fast paced and high flying! When is Worlds Collide? WWE Worlds Collide is Saturday, June 7. Where is Worlds Collide taking place? Worlds Collide will be held at he Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. What time does Worlds Collide start? Worlds Collide starts at 3 p.m. How to watch WWE Worlds Collide WWE Worlds Collide will stream live on WWE's Youtube channel. Or look below. Worlds Collide match card Chad Gable vs. Hijo del Vikingo, AAA Mega Championship match Stephanie Vaquer and Lola Vice vs. Chik Tormena and Dalys Legado Del Fantasma vs. Psycho Clown, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Pagano Ethan Page vs. Laredo Kid vs. Rey Fenix vs. Je'Von Evans, NXT North American Championship match Drago Lee, Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde vs. Octagon Jr., Aero Star and Mr. Iguana Will Rey Mysterio be at Worlds Collide? Rey Mysterio is scheduled to be at the special event. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: WWE PPV today: Worlds Collide starts busy day for WWE
