Behind the White House Curtain - A senior journalist’s story of covering the president—and why it matters

Aug 7, 2026

Behind the White House Curtain delivers a veteran journalist’s memoir on what it means to report from inside the White House and to hold leaders accountable. The narrative offers a detailed perspective on covering Donald J. Trump’s presidency, highlighting both the daily labor of correspondence and the stakes for a free press. It also addresses efforts to undermine Voice of America and explains why transparent, fact-based reporting matters for democratic governance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages263

Reading Time11 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Selected Bibliography

Index

Behind the White House Curtain [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) © 2024 by Steven L Herman All rights reserved Library of Congress Catalog Number 2023053295 ISBN 978-1-60635-477-3 Published in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced, in any manner whatsoever, without written permission from the Publisher, except in the case of short quotations in critical reviews or articles. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Names: Herman, Steven L, author. Title: Behind the White House curtain : a senior journalist’s story of covering the president—and why it matters / Steven L Herman. Description: Kent, Ohio : The Kent State University Press, 2024. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2023053295 | ISBN 9781606354773 (hardback) | ISBN 9781631015410 (epub) | ISBN 9781631015427 (pdf) Subjects: LCSH: Presidents—Press coverage—United States. | Press and politics—United States. | Voice of America (Organization) | Herman, Steven L | Journalists—United States—Biography. Classification: LCC JK554 .H47 2024 | DDC 327.73001/4--dc23/eng/20240109 LC record available at [https://lccn.loc.gov/2023053295](https://lccn.loc.gov/2023053295)[ ](https://lccn.loc.gov/2023053295)28 27 26 25 24 5 4 3 2 1 [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) For Yangchen [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) CONTENTS Foreword by Scott McClellan List of Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Epilogue Acknowledgments Selected Bibliography Index About the Author [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) FOREWORD Steve Herman and I worked in the White House at different times, under different political climates, and from different vantage points. What we share is a dedication to the truth and a conviction in the crucial role of a free press to a healthy democracy. We both left the White House with a deep appreciation for the hardworking correspondents in the White House press corps and their devotion to reporting the news and holding the president and administration accountable for their decisions, actions, and policies. As Herman shares, the role of a White House correspondent is oftentimes far less glamorous and much more laborious than one might surmise but nonetheless critical to scrutinizing the president and keeping the public informed in an age of misinformation and disinformation. In Behind the White House Curtain, readers get a unique and rich perspective on the White House and the tumultuous presidency of Donald J. Trump from a veteran journalist and gifted storyteller. Herman’s writing is shaped by decades of experience dealing with government officials and reporting from the front lines, including natural disasters, combat zones, and the 2011 nuclear reactor meltdown in Fukushima, Japan. His keen historical insights are nicely interwoven into the manuscript for additional context. Aspiring journalists, those seeking a career in politics or government, concerned citizens, and anyone interested in learning more about the presidency and White House will be well served by reading this informative and engaging memoir. The Trump presidency and all its norm-busting chaos is something I never could have envisioned becoming reality. Covering it as a White House correspondent had to have been mind-boggling. For the Voice of America, Steve Herman, and his colleagues, it went beyond that. VOA has and continues to be a trusted source of news for a weekly audience of more than 300 million worldwide thanks to the objective, fact-based, and reliable re

FAQs

What central theme drives Behind the White House Curtain?

The book focuses on the importance of a free press, the truth-seeking role of White House correspondents, and why accountability in reporting matters to a healthy democracy.

How does the book portray the work of a White House correspondent?

It emphasizes that the job is demanding and often less glamorous than assumed, requiring persistent scrutiny of decisions, actions, and policies to keep the public informed.

Which period of Donald J. Trump’s presidency is highlighted?

The memoir recounts the late period of Trump’s term, including efforts to dismantle Voice of America and reshape it into a promotional channel.

Aug 7, 2026

Upload by Lucas Martin