In the heart of Washington, a unique power dynamic has emerged during Donald Trump’s second term. Journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan have spent three years meticulously documenting this period, culminating in their new book, Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump.
Published today, the book offers a vivid portrayal of a presidency marked by unprecedented power and chaotic governance. Based on over 1,000 interviews, it provides an intimate look at Trump’s second term, which began 17 months ago.
Trump’s Ambition to Be a Great Man of History
During an interview in the Oval Office earlier this year, Trump shared a two-page letter from a supporter who compared him to some of history’s most consequential figures, including Napoleon and Stalin. The letter’s author, however, was not a historian but a golf caddy. This revelation underscores Trump’s desire to be seen as a great man of history.
“Trump was visibly in a state of pleasure to be in their company,” Swan told Vanity Fair. “He wants to be a great man of history.” This ambition drives much of Trump’s second term, as he seeks to reshape the world and leave a lasting legacy.
The Chaotic Governance of Trump’s Second Term
The book paints a deeply unsettling picture of a presidency governed with awesome power and unprecedented impunity. Trump has become a walking moral hazard rarely facing the consequences of his actions. The authors describe a hostile takeover of Washington with details about Trump’s peculiar existence in the White House residence and the figures around him.
One such figure is Natalie Harp, a devoted aide who writes adoring letters to Trump. These letters, left in his private spaces, declare, “You are all that matters to me.” Such details highlight the cult of personality that has developed around Trump.
The Grueling Reporting Process
Haberman and Swan spoke about the grueling reporting process behind the book. They described how writing the book nearly killed them, with months spent away from their families. The reporting process was particularly challenging due to the tight circle around Trump and the limited information flow in his second term.
“This is not Term One,” Haberman said. “Back then you had to have no eyes and ears to miss a story. It’s a much tighter circle around him [now]. There is much less information flow.” The authors had to work judiciously to gather the detailed, in-the-room reporting that makes up the book.
The Imperial Presidency
The subtitle of the book, Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump reflects the authors’ view of Trump’s second term. They argue that Trump has never respected checks and balances or the separation of powers. The Republican Congress essentially ceded the field to Trump for the entire year of 2026, allowing him to exercise unprecedented power.
“Donald Trump has never respected checks and balances or the separation of powers,” Swan said. “We have seen in this term a monumental departure, dereliction of duty from Congress.” The authors describe a presidency that is fundamentally different from anything seen before, with Trump using government power to coerce and change behavior in ways that are like nothing we’ve seen in our lifetime.
Trump’s Geopolitical Risks and Personal Ambitions
Trump’s second term has been marked by geopolitical risks and personal ambitions. The book details the deliberations behind the scenes about launching the war in Iran, which Trump had previously been somewhat averse to. The authors argue that Trump is much more hawkish about Iran than any other country and most of the people in his own government.
“Remember that there’s two phases to this,” Haberman said. “There’s the Twelve Day War last year and then there is the current war, which started on February 28th.” The authors describe how Trump’s experiences with Iran, including hacking attempts and assassination plots, have shaped his views and actions.
Trump’s second term has also been marked by a tendency to take on challenges that his advisors in the first term would have cautioned him against. This dynamic is driven by hubris as Trump has lived a life of moral hazard never left with the bill for his reckless actions. This has led to a sense of himself as almost supernatural, surrounded by advisors who have a mystical view of him as a figure of destiny.
The book provides a nuanced and detailed picture of Trump’s second term, highlighting the unprecedented power and chaotic governance that have marked this period. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the inner workings of the Trump presidency.
