A new account of daily life in the White House during Donald Trump’s second term portrays a presidency marked by chaos, unorthodox routines, and a retreat from active governance. According to the investigation by journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, Trump’s days began late—around 10 a.m.—after spending most of the previous night posting on his social media platform Truth Social. His personal quarters were equipped with multiple televisions, including a carpeted bathroom with a screen, underscoring his preference for constant media consumption. Meanwhile, Melania Trump maintained separate living quarters and a more conventional schedule.
The official agenda, managed by chief of staff Susie Wiles—nicknamed the “ice maiden” by Trump—was largely symbolic. Meetings in the Oval Office overlapped, with aides coming and going, and conversations often devolving into tangents unrelated to policy. Trump frequently shifted focus to topics such as his gold-plated White House decorations and plans for a ballroom, especially when discussions involved difficult subjects like affordability. Replacements for the traditional intelligence briefings included video clips of missile strikes and military actions, presented as a form of entertainment.
The account charts a second term in which Trump has become “almost entirely housebound,” with fewer public rallies and limited engagement in political strategizing or polling updates. His staying power on the airwaves masked significant changes, highlighted by the absence of prominent Republican support at his departure from Andrews Air Force Base following the January 2021 inauguration of Joe Biden. That moment underscored Trump’s isolation after the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, which resulted from his unfounded claims of election fraud. These claims had become a litmus test of loyalty among his inner circle and supporters.
Trump’s circle consisted predominantly of loyalists, some selected for their media presence or wealth rather than governmental experience. Figures such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and a self-styled “secretary of war,” Pete Hegseth—a former television anchor known for his aggressive style—were fixtures in the administration. Howard Lutnick, secretary of commerce, was reportedly tolerated by Trump largely because of a $25 million donation to Trump’s planned library in Florida. This project, described as a luxury hotel and skyscraper development, is set to receive a Boeing luxury jet as a gift from Qatar, which the Pentagon will transfer after Trump leaves office. The land for the project was donated by the state of Florida and valued at $67 million.
The book also provides insight into high-stakes moments, including efforts by Trump’s cabinet to prevent the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting emergency meetings in the Situation Room. Moreover, it details interactions with foreign leaders, notably Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the report, Netanyahu played a key role in persuading Trump to consider military action against Iran in February. Additionally, an “epic” phone call between Trump and Netanyahu following Israeli airstrikes on Hamas targets in Doha led to intense pressure for an official apology to Qatar, during which Trump expressed frustration with Netanyahu, telling him, “Everybody’s sick of you,” a remark overheard by Trump’s negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
In reflecting on his own legacy, Trump reportedly told the authors that there was one thing people could agree on: “Essentially I won every fucking time.” The chronicle offers a detailed and multifaceted portrait of a presidency defined by upheaval, personal idiosyncrasies, and persistent controversy.