Obtaining an interview with Donald Trump has been a formidable challenge for The Atlantic’s editorial team, who faced a maze of intermediaries, strict conditions, and frequent last-minute cancellations. Access to the former president was tightly managed by a sophisticated network of aides and legal counsel focused on controlling the narrative. Each attempt to schedule an interview involved delicate negotiations that tested The Atlantic’s commitment to journalistic independence, especially when confronted with demands for pre-approved questions and content oversight—practices that risked undermining the authenticity of the conversations.

Among the key difficulties encountered were:

• Rigorous topic vetting: Trump’s team required approval for every subject, limiting spontaneous and probing dialogue.
• Erratic scheduling: Interviews were often delayed or rescheduled abruptly, complicating editorial planning.
• Highly controlled settings: Conversations took place under close supervision, restricting opportunities for candid exchanges.