All the President's Women: Donald Trump and the Making of a Predator

by Barry Levine, Monique El-Faizy

With groundbreaking interviews, behind-the-scenes reporting, and never-before-seen photos,  All the President's Women  records 43 new allegations of sexual misconduct against President Trump, including that of E. Jean Carroll, the woman at the center of the civil trial that found Trump liable for sexual abuse in 2023.  

During his 2016 presidential run, the revelation of the  Access Hollywood  tape and subsequent allegations of sexual misconduct lodged against Donald Trump looked like they might doom his candidacy. Trump survived, and the first two years of the real estate scion's presidency were marked not by controversy over his behavior around women but by the Mueller investigation.

Outside of being found liable for sexual abuse in a 2023 civil trial that awarded E. Jean Carroll $5 million in damages, Trump has widely dodged the #MeToo bullet that has taken down so many once-powerful men. But despite the decades of tabloid fascination with his personal life, the story of Trump's relationship with women has never been fully told. Considering his bully pulpit in the White House, the reckoning is overdue.

All the President's Women  offers the most detailed account yet of Trump's history with women, dating back to his childhood and high school days through his rise in real estate, reality TV, and politics. This book will show that Trump's behavior goes far beyond occasional "locker-room talk" and unwanted advances.

Barry Levine and Monique El-Faizy detail more than a dozen new allegations against Trump, including a disturbing attack on a woman at Mar-a-Lago, an incident at a private Manhattan sex club involving a teenage girl, as well as Trump's behavior at fashion shows and beauty pageants--events that gave the future president a hunting ground to harass young women.

Veteran journalists Levine and El-Faizy tell the story of Trump from the point of view of the women in his orbit--wives, mistresses, playmates, and those whom the president has dated, kissed, groped, or lusted after.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Feminism, History, Audiobook, Gender, Horror

384 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 2019

About the author

Barry Levine is a veteran investigative reporter and editor in print and television. He received the HuffPost’s “Game Changer” award in 2010 and led a reporting team to a Pulitzer Prize nomination for investigative reporting and national news reporting. He is the co-author of All the President's Women and lives in New York.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
It’s exhausting to read how much of a scumbag this dude is, and that so many people can disbelieve the truth, or pretend it doesn’t matter.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donald J. Trump is a disgusting human being. His misogyny is horrific. Not only assaulting women and grabbing them by the pussy...but his actions as President. His very first act in the office to was to reinstate the global gag rule to groups that receive aid from America. They get zero aid if they even discuss or refer women to where they can access an abortion. He is a horrible human being who has to pay for the company of women...including his three wives.

[Chris Sosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a more detailed and specialized look into the making of President Donald Trump as a sexual predator. Instead, "All the President's Women" reads more like a concise Trump biography with a focus on his misogyny.

This isn't a bad book. There's just no new insight at all into Trump that isn't contained within the pages of many other Trump-related books.

If you're somehow new to the subject, this is a decent read. Otherwise, inessential.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's not much new here. And it was kind of an intellectual let-down after reading "Gods of the Upper Air." Still, it was a good book to read on a snowy day when there wasn't much point in going outside.

[Krystelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve been reading a lot about the Cheeto-In-Chief lately (for those offended by the use of that term a. I live in Australia and have no stake in American pride and b. You can’t deny he has a distinctly Tang-esque tinge). Some of these books have been standouts, and others, not so much. This title is firmly planted in the camp of the latter. It’s not particularly in depth and doesn’t examine the full gamut of the accusations levelled at trump, nor the full impacts of his abusive behaviours and the results of them. There’s no real new information floating around in here- if you’re reading any of the other titles about Trump’s presidency, the contents of this book will be inside. Again, the difficulty arose with the book that it felt a little dated already as well. Not really worth it if you’re already knee deep in other research about the current presidency. If you’re not, however, this is certainly an eye-opener to some of the women he’s abused and how he managed to get away with it for so long.

[Hannah Rappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

From this book's introductory chapters, the authors make clear that their intention is not to write 'salacious expose'. This is not a book of rumour, attempting to evoke media scandal. El-Faizy states that a clear narrative emerged through her research and documenting of Trump's behaviour. To not call out his behaviour as predatory is to be complicit in the culture he is intentionally creating.

As Levine and El-Faizy document accusation after accusation of inappropriate touching, intimidation and alleged rape, it is so clear that Trump's election to the presidency galvanised the #MeToo movement. This impressive feat of journalism synthesises current sources, including but not limited to Trump's own autobiographies, and introduces new voices starting from Trump's violent streak as a toddler. (One of the only downfalls of the book, I felt, was the lack of interrogation into why this was the case. There is some suggestion that his mother's absense due to illness at a pivotal point in Trump's childhood development is to blame, which is a little reductive.)

What emerges through the authors' detailed documentation of Trump's early life through to his election is a pattern of predatory behaviour. Time and again, Trump's inherited money and status created an environment in which he was never held accountable for his reprehensible behaviour. Rape allegations, among a host of other allegations, never made their way to court. The authors regularly use Trump's own words: 'When you're a star, they let you do it'. The anecdotes shape a clear picture of his cruelty, insatiable appetite for power and flagrant disregard for women as whole humans.

This book makes clear that the capitalist and consumerist values, for which Trump is known, have also informed his relationships, especially with women. Levine and El-Faizy document Trump's three marriages (although his current marriage is discussed to a lesser extent that his first two) in addition to many of his affairs. The amounting evidence presented by the authors suggests that Trump is a man who seems incapable of forming secure attachments to women, so intense is his compulsion for the next thing. The authors supplement their conclusions with Trump's own words, drawing on many anecdotes of his vindictive behaviour, such as his claim (after his second divorce) to have been bored when his second wife, Marla, walked down the aisle.

The discussion of Trump's white evangelical base was the most distressing chapter, in my opinion. His life is in flagrant disregard of the values of the church, and yet their support is inexplicably unwavering. This book attempts to unpack this support, with the intention of understanding its origins.

This book is an expert critique of Donald Trump, the man and the symbol of the zeitgeist in the late 2010s. He is one of the central figures to what Levine and El-Faizy term the 'culture wars' of this time and so meticulous accounts of his behaviour are necessary to understand the values he represents and the values for which he was elected.

Just as I was feeling incredibly hopeless by Trump's seeming untouchability, Levine and El-Faizy close their book with a chapter that offers hope. They show the surging tide in the political landscape of women, including a previously unseen number of women of colour, becoming mobilised or supported for political nominations. The last chapter is a welcome relief from the bleakness that was evoked by details of Trump's predatory behaviour.

I acknowledge my bias as a progressive (non-American) voter, but nevertheless maintain this is an important and valuable book as globally, we navigate this period of time, in which there is a reckoning for those who have benefitted from a patriarchy that has enabled predatory behaviours.

[Prooost Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the President's Women began as a tabloid-y look at Donald Trump's various misbehaviors, which was all I expected of it. But that was sort of a bait and switch, and there is not a little seriousness in Part Three (Chapters 10-12), which deals with his presidency, his relationship with right-wing evangelicals (and why those women support him), and the effect of his alarming presidency on the women's movement, and the growing number of women candidates in the Democratic Party.

There is an Appendix where the reader in a hurry can go for a short discussion of 67 allegations and/or accusations of Trump's mostly unwanted sexual advances, as well as his disparaging comments about certain women, women he is on record as fantasizing about, women he has (truthfully or untruthfully) bragged about dating, porn stars he's been linked to, women he's dated while married to other women, and other assorted allegations including alleged abortions.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An overview of Trump’s history with women. Most taken from other books and articles and an interview with Stormy Daniels. It’s superficial but brings together a lot of information. The marriage to Ivanna and Martha needed to be reviewed fro me. Melania was allowed to have a child if she agreed to have her abdomen repaired afterwards as post pregnancy effects on women’s bodies disgust him.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was relatively superfluous; but what a scumbag we’ve elected as POTUS!

[Mary Rand · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what was more cringe worthy: the subject matter or how poorly this book was written and edited.

[Susan Bray DeLong · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept glancing longingly at new new arrivals to review, Blue Moon, a new Jack Reacher novel and the latest John Grisham, The Guardians. Groan, but I have to read more about this loathsome creature, Donald Trump. Most of the seemingly never ending litany of who, when, where and why he bedded women, many wanting something from him in return, has already been trumpeted in newspapers all over the world. But I suppose if you salivate over the sexual conquests of this second rate, unattractive, fat Casanova, then this might be your cup of tea.
I must say the authors were diligent in their timeline of events,from when he married Ivana, when he cheated on her, when she confronts Marla Maples, what they fought about, when he went on Howard Stern’s Show and compared the bodies of women who he had had sex with and those he lusted after., By the time he married another Eastern European, Melania, you would think that his libido would have slowed down some, but she made the ultimate sin of getting pregnant and grossly fat, so the Donald was on the prowl yet again

The Appendix lists All the women who caught his learing looks from A to Z, over 65, but whose counting. I was particularly revolted by the disgusting comments Trump made against any woman who dared to criticize him or who rejected his attempt to coerce them into a quickie on a plane seat or at a party. Women like Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Brett Kavanaugh of attempting to rape her. She was lying according to Trump, who told his rally audience that women who make accusations of sexual assault should be “locked up!”

Other women who displeased the oh so critical Trump range from Beyoncé, Cher, Maureen Dowd, Paris Hilton, Arianna Huffington, Angelia Jolie, Meghan Markle, Bette Miller, Rosie O’Donnell, Martha Stewart, Charlize Theron and Sally Yates. Not a complete list, but if you were not his type of woman, Eastern European hard nosed, big breasted types with modelling experience, who would make other men jealous, then you were of zero importance. Women were treated as pieces of meat to pleasure him and flatter him and then he could move on to the next slew of women all dying for his attentions!

There are some interesting observations about why conservative Christians voted for him in 2016 and are most likely to stick with him in the 2020 election. Primarily he has given them the conservative judges they want and protection of their churches from taxes. The very wealthy vote for him because he makes them even richer, with huge tax breaks and the rest of the struggling lower and middle class who still support him are primarily ill educated and thankful they don’t have that black guy living in the White House anymore. Either that or the men would like to get away with Trump’s philandering lifestyle.

The one message I took away from reading this book is that next November, Americans have a chance to correct the awful experiment they made in 2016. They fell for the flim flam man. A man who cannot tell the truth about anything. A man whose only interest is himself and how to make the biggest profit so other men, the world over will be jealous and their wives and girlfriends will be sorry they didn’t have the good looks to be on his arm!

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very excellent. I thought i read everything about Trump but I learned some more . I learned stuff I didnt want to hear .

[Sam Purdie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is hard to rate because of the nature of the content. It reported on a despicable creature, and that made it hard to read, only because I felt dirty throughout. When I finished it, I felt the need of a long, hot shower!

[Writemoves · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book largely failed my goal for most books; tell me something that I don't know. There was one tidbit that did surprise me. On page 153, reportedly black and white nude photos of Melania Trump were given to some guests at the Donald and Melania wedding. Says a lot about Donald but also says a lot about Melania if this is true. This book contains incidents of hundreds of bad and inappropriate behavior of Trump. Trump has never really denied that he has behaved poorly with women. "Grab em by the pussy" will be the Trump mantra that historians will remember him by.

Disturbing book but not exactly bombshell material given what we see every day during this administration...

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook
Well it’s clear that Donald Trump should be in jail for sexual abuse and paying off women to keep their silence during his 2016 presidential campaign. This scum of the earth needs to be indicted.

[Krista Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this book lower because it was just so difficult to read and not because I was surprised. He is clearly a predator.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extensive and thoughtful reporting!

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cute cultural reference to an award winning movie, which makes me think the title was not chosen by the author.

[Jdub Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is fairly well written and seems to be very well researched. I certainly was awestruck by the number of affairs the President has admitted to in no uncertain terms, but even more dumbfounded by the number of accusations against Trump. Completely fascinating what people will ignore when politics are involved.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

If any part of this is true, it’s absolutely disgusting. This is an upsetting account of many, many women who have had sexual encounters with Donald Trump. I will never understand why the lure of power is such a strong attraction for so many women; very disturbing.

[Malcolm Frawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

With Trump's virtually life-long wealth & celebrity he apparently never had any trouble attracting beautiful women. So why did he (allegedly) go out of his way to abuse so many others? Because it wasn't about sex, it was about power. He infamously declared "When you're a star, they let you" but the testimony of many of his victims asserts the exact opposite - consent was neither sought nor given. Unfortunately, unlike Weinstein, Cosby or others, this (alleged) sexual predator has never had to pay for his many (alleged) crimes. But there's still time. Fingers crossed.

[Connie O'Kane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the save-the-world book by my friend Barry Levine: All the President’s Women (written with Monique El-Faizy).
My disdain for Donald Trump has long been dialed up to 11 and I can’t say this book moved my personal needle. But I think it’s a tremendous service to add to the Bill of Particulars for this president. It starts with Trump as just a boorish romantic, sending a personal jet full of roses to pick up one of his targets. But you then see his dim view of women become part of his life, from the aggressive and petty pre nups he forced on his wives to his serial and open infidelities and disrespect he has inflicted (though it sounds like he met his match with his second wife, Marla Maples, another, how can I say it, stable genius.)
There is the groping, the constant focus on looks, the back-stage strolls into dressing areas of young beauty pageant contestants.
I think a better subtitle than “The Making of a Predator” would be “The Making of a Misogynist.” As bad as they are, sexual predators affect the women they are in direct contact with. A misogynist with power can affect women all over the world.
Perhaps the most important part of the book is the 57 pages in the appendix where Barry and Monique list every instance of misconduct they can find, both those that were reported before and those that are new in this book. We get so used to Trump’s greatest hits: disrespecting John McCain, making fun a special needs reporter, his indifference to the racism in Charlottesville. Maybe we should look out all the other stuff he says. I’d love to see the quotes in this book on a tear-off calendar, each day another example of Trump ignorance. Most have been published before and some, like the comments on Howard Stern, should be available on tape.
In any case, the U.S. presidency will have to be fumigated after Trump. Hopefully, we’ll be doing that in about a year.

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Gunter Nitsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an eye-opener in the truest sense of the word.

[Cameron Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well researched. Also super disgusting. trump is a sexist pig and rapist. Just disgusting.

[Steve Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would've been amazing as a magazine piece or something, just the new allegations in one place. The beginning stuff about Trump's childhood and teenage years felt weird.

[Mike Marsbergen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extensively researched, well-written history of Trump's relationships with various women over the years.

What we see is a portrait of a man who was given far too much as a boy (including being given literal women to have sex with) and was never told no. He wants what he can't have, and he thinks he's entitled to anything he wants. He likes prizes.

Now he's the US President, so, yeah, cool.

[Lainey · Rating 3 out of 5]

it feels weird to rate this book high when it’s a really sad book in the grand scheme of things. they didn’t really go in depth on anything but it was a very enlightening book

[Myles · Rating 2 out of 5]

What we learn from this book is that Donald Trump’s apprenticeship as a sexual predator began long before his celebrity with The Apprentice. He frequented Times Square’s sex dens, seducing young models in the 1970’s and 1080’s, and hunted them relentlessly throughout his three marriages.

He often paid far more than most of his colleagues to have pretty women accompany him into the public eye, he paid to have sex with them frequently, and he used every trapping of his inherited wealth to bring more girls on board.

His fascination with pretty girls led him to start a modelling agency and of course purchase the Miss Universe Pageant.

Did he really want to be in these businesses? Nah. He wanted to see the contestants naked in the dressing room. He wanted the naive young women to bow to his authority and do his bidding.

To land a wet kiss on their lips and shove his wet tongue into their mouths.

Donald Trump frequently complemented his assignations by telling them they reminded him of his daughter. Yuck!

It seems Melania went into her marriage with her heavily made-up eyes open and knowing full well she wasn’t going to reform her husband. And he was fine with her even after she gave birth as long as he never saw her in the bathroom, or heard her pass wind.

Donald Trump may be one of the strangest dudes ever, but it should not be forgotten that the milieu from whence he came was full of disgusting characters. They adore celebrity, cavort with gangsters, and entertain themselves by preying on the weak.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disapponted. Clearly Trump has slept with hundreds if not thousands of women and behaved like a pig throughout his life - although not with with every woman, many speak fondly of him and his respectful ways - so I was looking for more solid reportage of his life time of libertinage. There is some new reporting of womena and some details are filled in but if you've read as many Trump books as I have I'm familiar with his tawdry life and behaviour already so I was hoping for more. Much of the book is rehashing of familiar history and the later "analysis" of the political reaction to Trumps election was pretty thin and nothing new if you follow the news. The authors allude to the difficulty of getting women to talk about unpleasant interactions with Trump over the years and I guess this is the central issue, and you can't blame them considering how terribly the women have have come forward to denounce Trump have been treated. I feel the details could have been more relentless and more detailed, the descriptions of Trump's behaviour in the NY modelling world nad his reputation onthe Manhattan nightlife scene and among moedlling professionals were new and interesting. I guess I was hoping for a lot more dirt because this is clearly the tip of an iceberg.