In his book *Profiles in Cowardice: A Study of Collaboration in the Trump Era*, journalist Jacob Weisberg examines the actions of prominent American figures during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term in 2025. Weisberg argues that many individuals who were once seen as defenders of American values ultimately failed to resist what he calls “the Great Capitulation,” revealing widespread moral weakness within the nation’s elite.
The book focuses on eight well-known figures from various sectors, including law, business, media, politics, academia, and the judiciary. Among those analyzed are Brad Karp, former chair of the law firm Paul, Weiss; Steve Schwarzman, a private equity magnate; Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post; media personality Megyn Kelly; former Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell; former President George W. Bush; Dartmouth College president Sian Beilock; and Chief Justice John Roberts.
Weisberg contends that these individuals had the opportunity and capacity to oppose Trump, who he characterizes as a threat to American democracy, but instead chose paths of compliance or silence. He explores the complex psychological and situational factors influencing their choices, noting that cowardice often masquerades as pragmatism, realism, institutional loyalty, or caution. Nevertheless, he argues that their failure to act was voluntary and not necessitated by direct coercion, imprisonment, or financial ruin.
In particular, Weisberg scrutinizes John Roberts, highlighting the chief justice’s rulings—such as in *Trump v. the United States*—which granted Trump legal immunity and facilitated his consolidation of power. While Weisberg depicts Roberts as a flawed figure struggling with competing pressures, some critics interpret Roberts’s decisions as ideologically motivated in favor of protecting the Republican president, rather than as acts of conscientious juristic restraint.
The book also draws parallels to other political figures, such as Colorado Governor Jared Polis, whom Weisberg views as another example of compromised leadership, even among Democrats. Yet, the work underscores that despite the shortcomings of many elites, numerous ordinary citizens demonstrated resilience and courage during this turbulent period, with particular praise for Minnesotans who resisted federal interventions in their communities.
By chronicling these episodes, Weisberg’s book offers a critical assessment of the erosion of principled leadership under Trump’s renewed presidency while acknowledging the complexities inherent in opposing concentrated state power. The narrative highlights a broader concern about the fragility of American institutions when confronted with authoritarian pressures.