In a detailed account of the early months of Donald Trump’s second term as president, authors Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan offer an insider’s view of the administration’s dynamics, priorities, and internal tensions. Their book, *Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump*, draws on interviews and access to key figures, painting a portrait of a White House marked by unconventional leadership, internal discord, and a departure from traditional presidential norms.
The narrative begins at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida residence, which transformed from a post-presidency retreat into a hub of power and influence following his 2024 election victory. Surrounded by loyal aides and supporters, Trump’s circle embraced a highly personalized style of governance. His aide Natalie Harp played a prominent role in reinforcing his confidence, regularly delivering positive media coverage and social media commentary. The atmosphere at the estate also attracted high-profile visitors, including Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, who reportedly sent a letter expressing enthusiasm for a “golden age of America,” and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who took a selfie with the president. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk maintained an extended, and at times unwelcome, presence at Mar-a-Lago, aggravating staff and prompting complaints from cabinet members over his interventions in government operations.
A recurring theme throughout the book is Trump’s preference for symbolism and spectacle, highlighted by an anecdote of the president personally affixing gold embellishments to the Oval Office mantelpiece, underscoring his tendency to challenge traditional norms of presidential decorum.
The administration’s foreign policy approach also features prominently. The book details mounting skepticism toward Ukraine within Trump’s inner circle, culminating in a contentious Oval Office meeting between Senator JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, struggled to define his role but proposed a plan linking U.S. support to a mineral rights deal, which appeared more transactional than strategic. Meanwhile, Trump favored entrusting peace talks with Russia to Steve Witkoff, a real estate associate with no diplomatic experience, who reportedly engaged directly with President Vladimir Putin in informal negotiations, including discussions on territorial claims in Ukraine.
On the domestic front, the administration faced challenges over handling the fallout from Jeffrey Epstein’s connections. Trump reportedly resisted addressing the issue publicly and expressed frustration with advisers and media personalities who pressed for transparency regarding his past associations with Epstein. His reactions ranged from dismissiveness to angry retorts, reflecting discomfort with scrutiny over the topic.
The Iran situation loomed large as a central concern of the second term. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s push for military action against the Islamic Republic was met with resistance from Trump’s deputy, JD Vance, but the president insisted on a more aggressive stance, repeatedly demanding use of the word “obliterated” when discussing strikes. Media figures like Tucker Carlson warned that escalating conflict could jeopardize Trump’s presidency.
Despite the book’s critical revelations, the authors offer a largely nonjudgmental presentation of events, allowing readers to interpret the administration’s chaotic and often unorthodox governance style. With two years remaining in Trump’s term, the account suggests ongoing volatility and high-stakes decision-making within a presidency increasingly marked by personal loyalty, symbolic gestures, and significant policy risks.