Bill Clinton, James Patterson Release Political Thriller Featuring President’s Husband on Murder Trial

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and bestselling author James Patterson are set to release their third political thriller, The First Gentleman, on June 2, 2025. The novel centers on President Madeline Wright, the first female president of the United States, who faces a re-election campaign crisis when her husband, Cole Wright, a former NFL star and the First Gentleman, is accused of murdering a Patriots cheerleader nearly twenty years ago. The storyline follows investigative journalists Brea Cooke and Garrett Wilson as they uncover political deceit and secrets that threaten the White House and the president’s economic reform plan known as the "Grand Bargain." The book blends courtroom drama, political intrigue, and media scrutiny, showcasing Clinton’s insider knowledge and Patterson’s trademark pacing. Unlike their previous collaborations that focused on physical threats to presidents or their families, this novel highlights the power and peril of investigative journalism within a high-stakes political and legal thriller. The release is highly anticipated following the duo’s success with The President Is Missing and The President’s Daughter.