Book Details How Trump Hobbled His 2nd Presidency as Regime Change Rattles White House
Updated
Updated · Semafor · Jun 23
Book Details How Trump Hobbled His 2nd Presidency as Regime Change Rattles White House
2 articles · Updated · Semafor · Jun 23
Summary
Regime Change, due out Tuesday, portrays Donald Trump’s second presidency as self-sabotaged by overconfidence, improvisation and impulse after his return from 2021 political exile.
Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan say the fallout reached major flashpoints, including Benjamin Netanyahu leading Trump into war and the administration’s botched handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The book also depicts Trump personally steering Justice Department attacks on enemies, mocking sycophantic business leaders and relying heavily on longtime operative Roger Stone.
Those details add to a broader account of a presidency driven by grievance and spectacle, with Trump telling aides: “We need plot twists.”
With top advisors calling the Iran plan 'farcical,' what was the strategic logic behind launching the costly 'Operation Epic Fury'?
The Iran war cost the global economy $1.3 trillion. How can future Mideast supply chain disruptions be prevented or mitigated?
Executive Power Unleashed: Trump’s 2025–2026 “Retribution Phase” and the Strain on American Democracy
Overview
After Donald Trump returned to office in 2025, he quickly began a 'retribution phase' by using executive power to reshape federal institutions and target political opponents. This led to major changes in the Department of Justice, widespread revocation of security clearances, and the appointment of loyalists to key cabinet positions. Critics argued that these actions undermined prosecutorial independence and the rule of law. The report shows how Trump's campaign promises and legal battles set the stage for these moves, creating a direct link between his personal experiences and the sweeping changes that followed in his second term.