Veteran journalist Bob Woodward has disclosed that late high-ranking administration official Richard Darman served as one of his most vital and high-level confidential sources during the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush presidencies. The revelation appears in an excerpt from Woodward’s forthcoming memoir, “Secrets,” which is featured in the latest issue of The New Yorker.
Darman, who served as staff secretary under Reagan and later as budget director under George H.W. Bush, maintained a close personal and professional relationship with Woodward for years. According to the memoir, scheduled for release on November 15, Darman frequently supplied sensitive inside information concerning federal governance and high-level policy.
In the excerpt titled “A Dangerous Friendship,” Woodward describes Darman as “a reporter’s dream source.” He notes that Darman was willing to discuss highly sensitive intelligence matters, including National Security Agency intercepts and covert Central Intelligence Agency operations. Woodward writes that while Darman carefully avoided compromising national security, he consistently pushed discussions right up to the boundary of classified disclosures.
The two men held countless weekend lunches at the Madison Hotel across the street from the newspaper office, discussing government operations and journalism. In later years, Darman frequently visited Woodward and his wife, journalist Elsa Walsh, at their country home near Annapolis, Maryland. Woodward recalls that although some acquaintances found Darman arrogant, he appreciated his companion’s confidence, charm, and intellectual depth.
Behind the scenes, the professional relationship yielded extensive documentation. Woodward states that he interviewed Darman across at least 58 meetings and phone conversations, accumulating boxes filled with hundreds of pages of notes. Following their most significant discussions, Woodward adhered to his established practice of typing detailed memos ranging from one to six pages in length.
Darman provided insights into internal administration dynamics, including sharp assessments of prominent figures. Woodward reveals that Darman privately criticized First Lady Nancy Reagan, describing her using harsh terms while attempting to navigate internal power struggles within the West Wing. The memoir also recounts colorful administrative anecdotes, including private remarks made by President Reagan following legislative battles.
Despite the deep professional and personal ties, the relationship ultimately disintegrated. The friendship collapsed following the publication of a newspaper series that proved damaging to the George H.W. Bush administration. Woodward addresses the fallout with self-assessment, characterizing aspects of the breakdown and a subsequent story where he served as responsible editor as a personal disappointment and a moral failing.
Woodward and Darman never fully reconciled their personal differences following the rupture, though the memoir details a final encounter between the two men on Darman’s deathbed. The forthcoming book explores the complex boundaries between investigative journalism and personal intimacy within the nation’s capital.
