Fear

What are the big ideas?

1. The Unconventional Communication Style of President Trump: This book provides insights into how President Trump communicates and utilizes Twitter as a tool for setting political agendas and shaping public opinion, often bypassing traditional channels and protocols. It reveals the importance of understanding and adapting to this unique communication style when dealing with diplomacy, policy negotiations, and media interactions.
2. The Role of Advisors and Cabinet Members in Shaping Trump's Policy Decisions: The book highlights how various advisors and cabinet members, such as Steve Bannon, John Kelly, H.R. McMaster, Rex Tillerson, and Gary Cohn, have influenced Trump's decision-making on key policy issues like immigration, China, Iran, Afghanistan, and tax reform. It demonstrates the importance of understanding the diverse perspectives and motivations of those close to the president in shaping U.S. foreign policy and domestic policies.
3. The Impact of Personal Relationships and Alliances on Policy Outcomes: The book illustrates how personal relationships between world leaders, cabinet members, and advisors significantly impact policy outcomes. For example, Trump's relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping influenced the administration's approach to China, while tensions between McMaster and Tillerson affected U.S. foreign policy decision-making. The book underscores the importance of building strong personal relationships and alliances in navigating complex international issues.
4. Navigating Trump's Unpredictability and Impulsivity: The book offers insights into how to work with and adapt to President Trump's unpredictable nature and impulsive decision-making, particularly when dealing with contentious policy negotiations and diplomatic challenges. It highlights strategies for managing his volatile emotions and maintaining a stable policy environment, such as setting clear goals, providing straightforward communication, and anticipating potential shifts in position.
5. The Importance of Effective Communication Skills in the Trump Administration: The book emphasizes the critical role effective communication skills play within the Trump administration. It illustrates how advisors like Kelly, Dowd, and Bossert employ various strategies to manage the president's communication style and shape public perception, such as drafting letters, coaching on media interviews, and providing clear and concise information. The book highlights the importance of strong communication skills in navigating the complex and often chaotic political landscape of the Trump White House.

Chapter Summaries

Prologue

Takeaways

• Gary Cohn, a top economic adviser in the White House, took a draft letter from President Trump's desk that could have led to the withdrawal from a crucial trade agreement with South Korea and potentially put U.S. national security at risk.
• The KORUS trade agreement was essential for the military alliance between the U.S. and South Korea, providing intelligence assets and capabilities, including early detection of North Korean missile launches.
• Trump's decision to withdraw from the agreement stemmed from his frustration over the annual trade deficit with South Korea and the cost of keeping U.S. troops there.
• The staff secretary, Rob Porter, was responsible for producing presidential letters but this time, an unknown channel provided the draft letter to Trump.
• Cohn and Porter worked together to derail impulsive and dangerous orders from Trump by removing documents or delaying their execution.
• Jared Kushner, a senior White House adviser, took dictation from Trump to write a new letter withdrawing from the agreement but was stopped when no next draft was prepared.
• Secretary of Defense James Mattis pleaded with Trump not to leave the deal, emphasizing the importance of South Korea as an ally for U.S. national security.
• Members of Trump's staff worked to block some of his dangerous impulses, creating a nervous breakdown of executive power in the most powerful country in the world.

Quotes

“Despite almost daily reports of chaos and discord in the White House, the public did not know how bad the internal situation actually was. Trump was always shifting, rarely fixed, erratic. He would get in a bad mood, something large or small would infuriate him, and he would say about the KORUS trade agreement, “We’re withdrawing today.”

“Cohn removed the letter draft from the Resolute Desk. He placed it in a blue folder marked “KEEP.” “I stole it off his desk,” he later told an associate. “I wouldn’t let him see it. He’s never going to see that document. Got to protect the country.”

“Cohn and Porter worked together to derail what they believed were Trump’s most impulsive and dangerous orders. That document and others like it just disappeared. When Trump had a draft on his desk to proofread, Cohn at times would just yank it, and the president would forget about it. But if it was on his desk, he’d sign it. “It’s not what we did for the country,” Cohn said privately. “It’s what we saved him from doing.”

“The reality was that the United States in 2017 was tethered to the words and actions of an emotionally overwrought, mercurial and unpredictable leader. Members of his staff had joined to purposefully block some of what they believed were the president’s most dangerous impulses. It was a nervous breakdown of the executive power of the most powerful country in the world.”

CHAPTER 1: Trump's Presidential Bid: First Meeting with Bannon (2010)

Takeaways

• Steve Bannon was initially uninterested in meeting Donald Trump when he expressed interest in running for president in 2010.
• Bossie convinced Bannon to meet Trump by explaining that Trump was serious about his presidential bid and that it would be beneficial for them to understand his plans.
• During their meeting, Trump discussed the importance of understanding conservative movement and Republican primary process to run for president.
• Trump had issues with his record on pro-life stance and voting history, which he acknowledged and promised to address.
• Bossie suggested that Trump should focus on winning primaries in three states (Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina) instead of trying to run in all 27 states.
• Trump was advised to build relationships with Republican candidates by donating large sums of money and doing one-on-one meetings.
• Bossie emphasized the importance of having a policy book to outline Trump's views on America and its policies.
• Bannon was unconvinced that Trump would actually run for president due to his lack of political experience and unwillingness to write checks or create a policy book.

Quotes

“Actually you’ve never voted in a primary except once in your entire life,” Bossie said, citing the record.”

“Bannon said. As for running for president, “Zero chance. First off, those two action items. The fucker will not write one check. He’s not a guy who writes checks.”

CHAPTER 2: Six Years Later

Takeaways

• Steve Bannon met with Donald Trump in late August 2016 at Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to discuss joining the campaign as CEO
• Bannon believed Trump was losing and proposed a simplified campaign focusing on three main themes: stopping illegal immigration, bringing back manufacturing jobs, and getting out of foreign wars
• Trump agreed to let Bannon manage the campaign, but kept Paul Manafort as chairman with no authority
• Kellyanne Conway, who had been supervising campaign ads, was named campaign manager and suggested they focus on specific promises and delivering results to win over voters.

Quotes

“When Trump called Mexicans “rapists” in the speech announcing his candidacy on June 16, 2015, Priebus called him and said, “You can’t talk like that. We’ve been working really hard to win over Hispanics.”

“Ailes said they were there for their weekly debate prep. The first presidential debate against Hillary Clinton was a month and a half away, on September 26. “Debate prep?” Bannon said. “You, Christie and Rudy?” “This is the second one.” “He’s actually prepping for the debates?” Bannon said, suddenly impressed. “No, he comes and plays golf and we just talk about the campaign and stuff like that. But we’re trying to get him in the habit.”

“Trump arrived and sat down. Hot dogs and hamburgers were laid out. The fantasy diet of an 11-year-old kid, Bannon thought, as Trump wolfed down two hot dogs.”

“Bannon added that Trump had another advantage. He spoke in a voice that did not sound political. This was what Barack Obama had in 2008 in the primary contest against Clinton, who spoke like the trained politician she was. Her tempo was overly practiced. Even when telling the truth, she sounded like she was lying to you. Politicians like Hillary can’t talk naturally, Bannon said. It was a mechanical way of speaking, right out of the polling and focus groups, answering the questions in political speak. It was soothing, not jarring, not from the heart or from deep conviction, but from some highly paid consultant’s talking points—not angry.”

CHAPTER 3: The War Room

Takeaways

• Bannon visits Trump campaign headquarters for the first time, finds it understaffed and empty on a Sunday night
• Manafort owns the campaign headquarters and is under investigation by The New York Times for undisclosed cash payments from Ukraine
• Manafort dismisses the investigation as a hit piece and refuses to cooperate with authorities
• Bannon discovers $12.7 million in cash payments designated for Manafort in the article
• Trump brings Bannon on board as CEO, despite his lack of experience running a campaign
• RNC is essential to Trump's campaign, as they have the national database and field operations
• RNC strategy involves targeting likely voters with high scores in the database for early voting ballots and persuading those with lower scores to vote for Trump
• Clinton does not seem to have a clear message and is struggling to win key states
• Bannon suggests a new campaign plan, focusing on getting within five to seven points of Clinton before the debates, handling debates with spontaneity, and turning to Trump for fundraising in the final weeks.

Quotes

“For Mr. Trump, though, bringing in Mr. Bannon was the political equivalent of ordering comfort food.” Bannon tried to sit down with Trump and walk him through refinements of the strategy and how to focus on particular states. The candidate had no interest in talking about it.”

“Conway agreed with Bannon that if the Trump campaign could make the race about Hillary, not Trump, they would win with those hidden Trump voters. If the race stayed about Trump, “we’ll probably lose.”

CHAPTER 4: Russian Reconnoitering and Meddling in the 2016 Election (Part 1)

Takeaways

• Donald Trump was facing immense pressure from Republican Party leaders to drop out of the presidential race following the release of the Access Hollywood tape, in which he made lewd comments about women.
• A meeting was called at Trump Tower to discuss what to do next. During the meeting, Paul Manafort and Corey Lewandowski argued that Trump should stay in the race, while Reince Priebus, Chris Christie, and Rudy Giuliani urged him to drop out.
• Steve Bannon believed that Trump would win despite the scandal and urged him to double down on his support base. Melania Trump also expressed her opposition to dropping out during the meeting.
• ABC was planning an interview with Trump, which the campaign attempted to cancel but ultimately went ahead with.
• Trump held a brief public appearance outside Trump Tower before departing for the second presidential debate in St. Louis. He reaffirmed his commitment to staying in the race despite the scandal.
• Giuliani made the rounds on Sunday morning talk shows to defend Trump's apology and downplay the significance of the tape, but many critics considered his performance weak.
• During the flight to St. Louis, Trump berated Giuliani for his defense and accused him of being weak. The campaign plane took off without Chris Christie, who had not shown up as planned.

CHAPTER 5: The Women

Takeaways

• Donald Trump was skeptical about transition planning and wanted to focus on campaigning instead
• Steve Bannon believed that North Carolina was a crucial state for Trump's victory and was concerned about the campaign's progress there
• Mitt Romney had spent too much time on transition preparations in 2012, according to Trump, which he believed had jinxed his campaign
• Trump ultimately agreed to a slimmed-down version of the transition process, with Chris Christie leading it until after the election
• After Trump's win, Bannon was tasked with filling 4,000 government positions and was worried about finding qualified people given Trump's lack of preparation and planning for the transition.
• Bannon and Priebus agreed to share power in the White House, with Bannon serving as chief strategist and Priebus as chief of staff.
• Bannon believed that many in the Republican Party had underestimated Trump's chances of winning and were unprepared for his victory.

Quotes

“Bannon, Kushner and Mnuchin, the former Goldman Sachs executive, presented Trump with a plan for him to give $25 million to the campaign. “No way,” Trump said. “Fuck that. I’m not doing it.” Where were the famous Republican high-donor guys? “Where the fuck’s the money? Where’s all this money from these guys? Jared, you’re supposed to be raising all this money. Not going to do it.”

CHAPTER 6: A Week with General Keane

Takeaways

• General Jack Keane advised President-elect Trump that national security and foreign policy were his responsibility as president, as mistakes in these areas have no do-overs and can cause significant consequences.
• Retired Marine General Jim Mattis was recommended by Keane to Trump for the position of secretary of defense due to his experience, thoughtfulness, and current understanding of global issues.
• Mattis accepted the offer from Trump after being assured he could start working immediately on handling international challenges, particularly ISIS.
• Mattis and Trump had a strong connection, with Mattis being described as a warrior and comforter, and Trump valuing his advice.
• Mattis had previously served under Vice Admiral Bob Harward, who found him to be the most gracious and humble officer he had ever served under.
• Iran posed a significant threat to US interests in the Middle East according to Mattis, with its attacks on US military personnel in the past causing deep wounds that had not been answered.
• As CentCom commander, Mattis believed that the United States did not have enough military force in the region and did not have robust rules of engagement, leading him to write memos seeking more authority to respond to Iranian provocations.
• Mattis's appointment as secretary of defense raised questions about the potential for a military conflict with Iran under a hawkish Trump presidency.
• Former secretaries of state James A. Baker III and Robert Gates suggested Trump meet with Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon, who was named as Trump's secretary of state due to his business experience and confidence.

Quotes

“A heartfelt thanks to Evelyn M. Duffy, my assistant on five books that have covered four presidents. President Trump presents a particular hurdle because of the deep emotions and passions he brings out in supporters and critics. Evelyn immediately grasped that the challenge was to get new information, authenticate it and put it in context while reporting as deeply as possible inside the White House.”

CHAPTER 7: The Economy and Trade

Takeaways

• Gary Cohn advised Trump that the economy needed tax reform and deregulation for growth, but warned against protectionist trade policies and limiting immigration.
• Cohn suggested the government issue long-term bonds to lock in low interest rates, while Trump wanted to "just borrow a lot of money."
• Cohn argued against corporate tax inversions and encouraged keeping the corporate tax rate competitive with other countries.
• Inverting corporations had become common practice for maximizing profits, but Cohn believed it was detrimental to business and jobs.
• Trump expressed interest in having Cohn join his administration, but he declined offers for roles such as deputy secretary of defense or director of national intelligence.
• Flynn, Trump's national security adviser, discussed the modernization of Russia's nuclear capabilities and the potential need for the U.S. to test nuclear weapons again.
• Flynn advocated being aggressive with Russia while also engaging in diplomacy, and criticized Obama for giving up too much capability and readiness.
• Flynn defended his 2015 trip to Russia for speaking fees, stating it was an opportunity to meet Putin and discuss U.S.-Russia relations.

Quotes

“Next, Cohn repeated what everyone was saying: Interest rates were going to go up over the foreseeable future. I agree, Trump said. “We should just go borrow a lot of money right now, hold it, and then sell it and make money.” Cohn was astounded at Trump’s lack of basic understanding. He tried to explain. If you as the federal government borrow money through issuing bonds, you are increasing the U.S. deficit. What do you mean? Trump asked. Just run the presses—print money.”

CHAPTER 8: Intelligence Briefing Controversy

Takeaways

• On January 6, 2017, then-FBI Director James Comey, then-CIA Director John Brennan, and then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper briefed then-President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower about Russian interference in the 2016 election.
• The intelligence community assessment was that Russia had a "clear preference" for Trump over Hillary Clinton and had engaged in a significant influence campaign to discredit Clinton and harm her electability.
• Comey also shared with Trump a dossier containing unverified allegations about Trump's ties to Russia, including allegations of sexual activities with prostitutes in Moscow.
• The intelligence community believed they had at least six human sources for the information contained in the assessment. One source was in such jeopardy that the CIA wanted to exfiltrate them from Russia.
• Trump denied the allegations in the dossier and expressed disbelief in human intelligence. He questioned why the intelligence community would rely on "spies" when they could have obtained information directly from Russia.
• The inclusion of the unverified dossier in the briefing was a mistake, as it may have given Trump the impression that the intelligence community was trying to blackmail or leverage him with the allegations.
• The briefing marked the beginning of Trump's contentious relationship with the intelligence community and set the stage for his repeated denials of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

CHAPTER 9: Operation in Yemen

Takeaways

• President Trump approved a SEAL Team Six operation against a senior al Qaeda collaborator in Yemen, resulting in the first combat casualty of his presidency and criticism for the operation's outcome.
• Trump expressed sympathy for the family of the fallen soldier and praised his legacy during a joint address to Congress.
• The administration debated NATO's relevance due to European allies not meeting defense spending commitments, with Trump ultimately deciding to support the alliance while pressuring them to pay their fair share.

CHAPTER 10: Flynn's Deception

Takeaways

• National Security Advisor Michael Flynn discussed sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador before Trump took office.
• Obama imposed sanctions on Russia in December 2016, and Flynn denied any discussions about them with Kislyak.
• Intercepted conversations between Flynn and Kislyak revealed they had discussed the sanctions multiple times.
• Flynn resigned on February 13, 2017, due to his lies about these conversations.
• President Trump praised Putin for not retaliating against the US sanctions.
• Mattis held a meeting with foreign policy experts to discuss the counter-ISIS plan and the need for a broader Middle East strategy.
• Senior intelligence officials briefed Priebus on potential attempts to influence him, and McCabe denied allegations of Trump campaign contacts with Russian intelligence officials in a private conversation.
• The FBI refused a White House request to debunk the New York Times story about Trump campaign aides' contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials.
• Comey later testified under oath that the original story was not entirely true.

CHAPTER 11 - The New National Security Advisor

Takeaways

• Trump wanted a new national security adviser and was pressured by media criticism.
• McMaster, a war hero and scholar, was interviewed for the position but wore a suit instead of uniform as advised.
• Bolton, a former U.N. ambassador with a mustache, was also considered but not selected due to lack of chemistry with Trump.
• Caslen, a West Point superintendent with short answers and military experience, was favored by some but faced opposition due to lack of Washington experience.
• McMaster was eventually chosen despite his lackluster interview performance and was told to keep it a secret until the announcement.
• Trump prioritized chemistry over military expertise in making his selection.
• The process for selecting a national security adviser involved multiple interviews, consideration of military input, and a focus on media perception.

CHAPTER 12: North Korea's Nuclear Challenge

Takeaways

• North Korea posed a significant nuclear and missile threat to the United States, South Korea, and Japan in 2016.
• The North had conducted several nuclear tests and missile launches, increasing the urgency of addressing the issue.
• Obama considered a preemptive military strike on North Korea but rejected it due to the potential for devastating consequences.
• Diplomatic efforts through backchannel meetings between former U.S. officials and North Korean counterparts continued.
• Clapper advocated for setting up an interest section in Pyongyang to establish a diplomatic presence and obtain information.
• Cyber attacks on North Korea were considered but deemed too risky due to potential retaliation and escalation.
• North Korea had demonstrated significant cyber capabilities, including the 2014 attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment.

CHAPTER 13: General Discusses North Korea Threat with Graham

Takeaways

• General Dunford shared concerns about Trump's impulsive decision-making style regarding a potential military strike on North Korea
• Graham and Trump had a contentious relationship during the primaries, but were now willing to build a relationship
• Graham urged Trump to be cautious with Congress, as they lacked a plan for healthcare or tax reform
• Graham suggested Trump should threaten North Korea with military force if they develop a missile capable of reaching the US
• McMaster agreed with Graham's assessment and advised Trump to seek congressional authorization before taking military action against North Korea
• Graham urged Trump to be bipartisan, suggesting he reach out to Democrats and build relationships
• Trump should avoid tweeting negatively, as it can provoke unnecessary controversy and resistance.

Quotes

“Mr. President, you've got to buy some democrats," Graham said. The good news is they come cheap.”

CHAPTER 14: The Middle East Concern - Hezbollah's Threat

Takeaways

• Derek Harvey, a former Army colonel and intelligence analyst, was appointed director for the Middle East on the National Security Council staff in February 2017.
• Harvey's primary concern was the threat posed by Hezbollah, an Iranian-supported terrorist organization with over 48,000 full-time military in Lebanon and 8,000 expeditionary forces in Syria, Yemen, and other regions, as well as a global network of cells.
• Hezbollah had acquired over 150,000 rockets since the 2006 war with Israel and was committed to destroying Israel.
• Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders were integrated into the Hezbollah structure, and Iran paid Hezbollah $1 billion a year.
• Harvey argued for a strategic dialogue between the US and Israel to confront the new realities on the ground in the Middle East and prepare for potential conflict with Iran and its proxies.
• Kushner proposed a summit in Saudi Arabia as part of this strategy, believing that Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Saudi deputy crown prince, was the future leader of the kingdom.
• McMaster expressed concerns about the risks and lack of support for the summit idea, but Harvey continued planning.
• Kushner arranged multiple meetings between US and Saudi officials to discuss terrorism, terrorism financing, violent extremism, and information campaigns, as well as military contracts and security partnerships.
• Trump eventually gave the go-ahead for the summit, which was announced on May 4, 2017, and resulted in significant defense purchases by Saudi Arabia.
• The summit reset relationships in the region, sending a strategic message to Iran and marking a departure from the Obama administration's approach of straddling.
• MBS was appointed crown prince of Saudi Arabia the following month, at the age of 31.

CHAPTER 15: Trump's Opposition to the Afghanistan War

Takeaways

• Trump expressed frustration with the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and called it a "disaster."
• He questioned the value of NATO and accused Pakistan of not helping the U.S.
• Trump suggested that the U.S. should focus on extracting minerals from Afghanistan as a way to justify continued presence.
• Trump considered sending mercenaries instead of U.S. troops and believed that Pakistan could be pressured by cutting off aid until they cooperate.
• Trump was open to Graham's suggestion of making him the ambassador to Pakistan but ultimately rejected the idea.
• Trump liked the idea of running an insurgency against the Taliban insurgency and saw it as a renegade operation.
• Bannon criticized the weak Afghan Army and believed the U.S. had turned the world's best fighters into the world's worst army.
• Graham warned Trump of the consequences of withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan, including an increase in international terrorism and the next 9/11 coming from Afghanistan.

Quotes

“1. Achieve political stability that will include a political settlement with the insurgent Taliban. 2. Push for institutional actions by the Afghan government to counter the Taliban. 3. Increase pressure on neighboring Pakistan, which was playing a double game—nominally allied with the United States, but also supporting terrorists and the Taliban. 4. Maintain international support from the 39 countries allied with the United States in a coalition.”

Chapter 16: Reviewing the Iran Deal

Takeaways

• Trump expressed his opposition to renewing the Iran deal, despite Iran's compliance with the terms of the agreement.
• Tillerson attempted to persuade Trump to renew the deal based on practicality and principle, but Trump was unwilling.
• Priebus advised Tillerson to use stronger language in making the case for renewal and warned that Trump would react negatively if he read the proposal.
• Trump ultimately agreed to renew the deal but expressed his displeasure with the decision.
• Tillerson faced challenges in implementing administration policies due to conflicts with the White House over personnel appointments.
• Mattis, while sharing Tillerson's concerns about Iran, handled Trump more diplomatically and formed a close relationship with Tillerson.
• Russia was seen as a major threat to the United States by some administration officials, and tensions between the US and Russia increased.
• The process of renewing the Iran deal was contentious and fraught with disagreements within the administration.

Quotes

“Russia had privately warned Mattis that if there was a war in the Baltics, Russia would not hesitate to use tactical nuclear weapons against NATO.”

“White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who was a commander in the Naval Reserves, tried several times to persuade Mattis to appear on Sunday talk shows on behalf of the administration. The answer was always no. “Sean,” Mattis finally said, “I’ve killed people for a living. If you call me again, I’m going to fucking send you to Afghanistan. Are we clear?”

CHAPTER 17: Trade Coordination Crisis

Takeaways

• Rob Porter was appointed as staff secretary by Reince Priebus in January 2017, despite having no prior experience in the executive branch.
• Porter took on the role of coordinating trade policy due to the infighting between Gary Cohn and Peter Navarro's factions.
• Trump signed an executive order withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on January 23, 2017, despite advisors urging against it on day one.
• In March 2017, Navarro wrote a memo to Trump and Priebus criticizing Cohn's influence and lack of progress on trade policy. Porter kept the memo on his desk and did not share it with anyone.
• Porter began chairing weekly Tuesday meetings in the Roosevelt Room to coordinate trade policy, despite Lighthizer being confirmed as U.S. trade representative in May 2017.
• In July 2017, Navarro and Lighthizer presented Trump with a timeline for trade actions, but Porter objected due to lack of coordination and proper process.
• The key takeaways are: 1) Reince Priebus appointed Rob Porter as staff secretary without prior experience; 2) Porter took on the role of coordinating trade policy due to infighting between Cohn and Navarro's factions; 3) Trump signed an executive order withdrawing from TPP on day one despite advisors' recommendations; 4) Navarro wrote a memo criticizing Cohn's influence, which Porter kept secret; 5) Porter began chairing weekly Tuesday meetings to coordinate trade policy without Lighthizer's involvement; 6) The July 2017 presentation of a trade timeline was objected to due to lack of coordination and proper process.

Quotes

“Nearly all economists disagreed with Trump, but he found an academic economist who hated free trade as much as he did. He brought him to the White House as both director of trade and industrial policy and director of the National Trade Council. Peter Navarro was a 67-year-old Harvard PhD in economics. “This is the president’s vision,” Navarro publicly said. “My function really as an economist is to try to provide the underlying analytics that confirm his intuition. And his intuition is always right in these matters.”

CHAPTER 18: Syrian Airfield Strike

Takeaways

• The U.S. launched a missile strike against a Syrian airfield in response to a chemical weapons attack.
• Trump's national security team, including McMaster and Mattis, recommended a military response to send a message to Assad and deter future use of chemical weapons.
• Trump was initially hesitant but eventually gave the go-ahead for the strike after being presented with compelling intelligence and arguments from his advisors.
• The strike was met with widespread praise both domestically and internationally as a strong response to Assad's actions.
• Trump later expressed regret that the strike did not go far enough and considered further military action against Syria, but was dissuaded by Mattis and others.

Quotes

“About 15 minutes before the Tomahawks would hit, a warning was sent to the Russians at the airfield. When the call was made, the Russian who picked up the phone at the airfield sounded intoxicated.”

Chapter 19: Withdrawing from NAFTA

Takeaways

• President Trump wanted to withdraw from NAFTA by executive order but was advised it couldn't be done that way and would cause significant timing issues.
• Vice President Pence, Commerce Secretary Ross, Kushner, Porter, Navarro, and McMaster were involved in discussions about NAFTA withdrawal.
• Some argued that a preemptive withdrawal from NAFTA would have negative consequences, including financial market instability and potential retaliation from trading partners.
• Agriculture Secretary Perdue warned that agriculture interests would be negatively impacted by NAFTA withdrawal and urged Trump to reconsider.
• Trade deficits were a focus for some in the administration, but Porter argued that trade policy was not the primary driver of trade deficits.
• Ross negotiated a deal with China, which faced criticism from Trump and others for being unfavorable to the U.S.
• Legal issues and bureaucratic niceties caused delays in implementing steel tariffs.
• Mattis was not consulted on steel tariff decisions as required by law.

CHAPTER 20: The Fire and the Fury

Takeaways

• Trump considered firing FBI Director Comey early in his administration but was warned of the backlash and power of institutions like the FBI and CIA.
• Trump decided to fire Comey in May 2017 due to his handling of the Clinton email investigation and his perception that Comey was a grandstander.
• Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein also wanted to fire Comey and wrote a memo outlining reasons for it, which Trump used as justification for the firing.
• The firing sparked calls for a special counsel to investigate Russian election meddling and any connection to the Trump campaign, leading to the appointment of Robert Mueller.
• Trump was deeply upset by the investigation and perceived it as an attempt to get him, expressing anger and paranoia towards those involved.
• Trump believed that Comey's firing had nothing to do with the Russia investigation and saw it as politically motivated.
• Trump felt he had been unfairly targeted and sought to "punch back" by asserting his power to fire anyone he wanted.

Quotes

“Trump said he wished he had fired Comey at the beginning of the administration but now he wanted Comey out. Bannon disagreed and offered this argument to Trump alone in the Oval Office: “Seventy-five percent of the agents do hate Comey. No doubt. The moment you fire him he’s J. fucking Edgar Hoover. The day you fire him, he’s the greatest martyr in American history. A weapon to come and get you. They’re going to name a special fucking counsel. You can fire Comey. You can’t fire the FBI. The minute you fire him, the FBI as an institution, they have to destroy you and they will destroy you.” Bannon thought Trump did not understand the power of the permanent institutions—the FBI, CIA, the Pentagon and the broader military establishment. He also did not understand the sweeping powers of a special counsel who could be appointed to investigate everything a president touched.”

“Everybody’s trying to get me,” the president said.”

CHAPTER 21: Representing the President

Takeaways

• In June 2017, Mueller was appointed as special counsel to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.
• Dowd represented Trump during this initial meeting with Mueller, where they discussed cooperation and agreed to a broad scope for the investigation.
• Dowd emphasized that Trump would not assert executive privilege over documents or testimony, but instead wanted to "engage" with the investigation to bring it to a quick conclusion.
• The primary issues under investigation were collusion between the campaign and Russia, as well as possible obstruction of justice related to Comey's firing.
• Trump expressed frustration about the ongoing investigation and felt that it was unfairly hindering his ability to govern effectively.
• Melania was focused on their son Barron and did not merge her life extensively with Trump's.
• Trump advocated for a strong response when faced with challenges or allegations, such as denying any culpability and pushing back aggressively.

CHAPTER 22: A Deep Secret from the Intelligence World

Takeaways

• The CIA's North Korea Operations Group considered "indirect assassination" or "man change" as an option to remove Leader Kim Jong Un, but concluded it was unlikely due to the complexity and risk involved.
• The U.S. Air Force conducted simulated air strikes in the Missouri Ozarks to prepare for a potential attack on North Korean leadership targets.
• General John Kelly was frustrated with Jared Kushner's efforts to negotiate a compromise on immigration for "Dreamers." He believed that the White House lacked transparency and coordination, and feared being humiliated if he went to the president with his concerns.
• Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner invited Senator Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham to their house for dinner to discuss immigration. Stephen Miller, a hardliner on immigration, attended as well.
• Graham believed that McConnell would be replaced as majority leader and wanted to find a replacement. He denied this when confronted by Bannon.
• Bannon saw Graham as an ally in his efforts to undermine McConnell's leadership and believed that Trump was being influenced by Ivanka, Jared, and Graham to support amnesty for Dreamers.
• Bannon called Attorney General Jeff Sessions to the White House to discuss immigration and the potential legal challenge to DACA. They agreed that the administration would not defend the lawsuit, effectively ending DACA.

CHAPTER 23: Ivanka's Paris Crusade

Takeaways

• Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner had significant influence in the West Wing, often promoting pro-environment policies and lobbying the president to stay in the Paris Accord.
• Priebus struggled to manage the West Wing due to the presence of Ivanka and Jared, who were seen as New York liberals by some and accused of freelancing and leaking information.
• Pruitt and Bannon pushed for the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Accord without proper process or consultation, which was met with resistance from some officials who believed it could jeopardize ongoing regulatory rollbacks and harm international relationships.
• Trump eventually decided to withdraw from the Paris Accord, citing concerns about financial burdens and a lack of obligations on leading polluters.
• Priebus attempted to limit Jared's role in the White House due to ongoing investigations into his business dealings but was unsuccessful.
• Priebus also tried to control Trump's TV watching and schedule to minimize his exposure to political controversies, but found it difficult to do so.
• Bannon recognized the need for a clearer strategy in U.S. foreign policy and proposed a new approach focusing on China and the Pacific to Secretary Mattis, who was initially resistant.

Quotes

“Paris was one of the justifications the Obama administration used as part of the regulatory record to justify the cost and benefits of the Clean Power Plan.” That was an Obama-era 460-page rule to lower carbon dioxide emitted by power plants that the EPA estimated would save 4,500 lives a year. Pruitt was already moving to end the policy.”

“Having failed in efforts to control or curtail the president’s tweeting, Priebus searched for a way to have practical impact. Since the tweets were often triggered by the president’s obsessive TV watching, he looked for ways to shut off the television. But television was Trump’s default activity. Sunday nights were often the worst. Trump would come back to the White House from the weekend at one of his golf resorts just in time to catch political talk on his enemy networks, MSNBC and CNN.”

CHAPTER 24 - The Undisclosed Meeting

Takeaways

• Don Jr., Manafort, and Kushner met with a Russian lawyer offering dirt on Hillary Clinton during the campaign, causing media uproar but no clear evidence of wrongdoing.
• Dowd dismissed the media's treatment of the story as overblown and urged Mueller to focus on hard evidence.
• Mueller received extensive documents and interviews from Trump's team, with Dowd assuring "respect for law enforcement."
• Mueller investigated Trump's finances, including Russian real estate deals and a Florida mansion sale.
• Dowd demanded clear communication from Mueller about ongoing investigations to avoid unnecessary distractions for the president.
• The Freedom Caucus threatened to withhold budget support unless transgender people were banned from openly serving in the military.
• Trump implemented the ban via tweets, causing confusion and opposition within the military.
• Mattis tried to reverse the decision but ultimately complied, leading to legal challenges and eventual implementation of the ban on January 1, 2018.

CHAPTER 25: The Shocking Encounter with Kasowitz

Takeaways

• Trump values his use of Twitter as a direct communication channel to bypass filters and reach a large audience
• Trump disregards formal organizational structures and prefers to communicate directly with individuals, including his staff secretary Rob Porter
• Trump's tweets can have significant political consequences, leading to controversy and opposition from key Republicans
• Trump refused to curtail his use of Twitter despite concerns about its impact on his presidency
• Trump had a contentious relationship with Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, culminating in a breach of security protocols during their meeting at the G20 summit
• Trump's protectionist, isolationist views were summarized by the phrase "TRADE IS BAD"
• Trump's memory and recollection of conversations are subject to revision or denial.

Quotes

“I go out and give a speech and it’s covered by CNN and nobody’s watching, nobody cares. I tweet something and it’s my megaphone to the world.”

“As an extreme measure, Hicks, Porter, Gary Cohn and White House social media director Dan Scavino proposed they set up a committee. They would draft some tweets that they believed Trump would like. If the president had an idea for a tweet, he could write it down or get one of them in and they would vet it. Was it factually accurate? Was it spelled correctly? Did it make sense?”

“When Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un amped up the rhetoric, he was warned, “Twitter could get us into a war.”

“Coming back from the G20 summit, Trump was editing an upcoming speech with Porter. Scribbling his thoughts in neat, clean penmanship, the president wrote, “TRADE IS BAD.” Though he never said it in a speech, he had finally found the summarizing phrase and truest expression of his protectionism, isolationism and fervent American nationalism.”

“Cohn had witnessed this for over a year—denial when needed or useful or more convenient. “He’s a professional liar,” Cohn told an associate.”

CHAPTER 26: McMaster's Dilemma

Takeaways

• McMaster was frustrated with Tillerson's lack of consultation and communication with the White House, particularly regarding foreign policy matters
• Tillerson had signed a MOU with Qatar without informing McMaster or involving the president in the process
• McMaster accused Tillerson of attempting to undermine the national security process by going around the NSC and communicating directly with the president and other key cabinet members
• Trump expressed frustration with Sessions' recusal from the Russia investigation, believing that he had misrepresented his role during the campaign
• Priebus attempted to mediate conflicts between key cabinet members and maintain order in the White House
• Tillerson criticized the White House for its dysfunction and lack of direction, while expressing frustration with the personnel process at State Department.

Quotes

“McMaster said that he believed Mattis and Tillerson had concluded that the president and the White House were crazy. As a result, they sought to implement and even formulate policy on their own without interference or involvement from McMaster, let alone the president.”

“McMaster said he had been completely in the dark about this. The secretary of state had not consulted or even informed him in advance. He had learned from press reports! In a news conference in Qatar, Tillerson had said the agreement “represents weeks of intensive discussions” between the two governments so it had been in the works for a while. Porter said Tillerson had not gone through the policy process at the White House and had not involved the president either. Clearly Tillerson was going off on his own. “It is more loyal to the president,” McMaster said, “to try to persuade rather the circumvent.” He said he carried out direct orders when the president was clear, and felt duty bound to do so as an Army officer. Tillerson in particular did not. “He’s such a prick,” McMaster said. “He thinks he’s smarter than anyone. So he thinks he can do his own thing.” In his long quest to bring order to the chaos, Priebus arranged for each of the key cabinet members to regularly check in. Tillerson came to his office at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18. McMaster had not been invited but joined the meeting anyway. He took a seat at the conference table. The national security adviser’s silent presence was ominous and electric. Tell me, Priebus asked Tillerson, how are things going? Are you on track to achieve your primary objectives? How is the relationship between the State Department and the White House? Between you and the president? “You guys in the White House don’t have your act together,” Tillerson said, and the floodgates gushed open. “The president can’t make a decision. He doesn’t know how to make a decision. He won’t make a decision. He makes a decision and then changes his mind a couple of days later.” McMaster broke his silence and raged at the secretary of state. “You don’t work with the White House,” McMaster said. “You never consult me or anybody on the NSC staff. You blow us off constantly.” He cited examples when he tried to set up calls or meetings or breakfasts with Tillerson. “You are off doing your own thing” and communicate directly with the president, Mattis, Priebus or Porter. “But it’s never with the National Security Council,” and “that’s what we’re here to do.” Then he issued his most dramatic charge. “You’re affirmatively seeking to undermine the national security process.” “That’s not true,” Tillerson replied. “I’m available anytime. I talk to you all the time. We just had a conference call yesterday. We do these morning calls three times a week. What are you talking about, H.R.? I’ve worked with you. I’ll work with anybody.” Tillerson continued, “I’ve also got to be secretary of state. Sometimes I’m traveling. Sometimes I’m in a different time zone. I can’t always take your calls.” McMaster said he consulted with the relevant assistant secretaries of state if the positions were filled. “I don’t have assistant secretaries,” Tillerson said, coldly, “because I haven’t picked them, or the ones that I have, I don’t like and I don’t trust and I don’t work with. So you can check with whoever you want. That has no bearing on me.” The rest of the State Department didn’t matter; if you didn’t go through him, it didn’t count.”

CHAPTER 27: President's Security Dilemma

Takeaways

• President Trump expressed frustration and anger during a National Security Council meeting about the United States' role in defending its allies, particularly South Korea, and the cost of doing so.
• Trump questioned the value of maintaining troops in South Korea and suggested pulling them out due to the country's unwillingness to pay for their protection or accept the THAAD antimissile system.
• The president criticized his advisers for not understanding business and wanting the United States to continue paying for other countries' defense.
• Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with trade deals, particularly those with Europe, and wanted to impose tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
• The meeting was described as tense and chaotic, with many participants expressing concern about the president's erratic behavior and lack of knowledge in national security matters.
• Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Trump a "moron" after the meeting.
• National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn tried to argue for the benefits of free trade, but Trump was not persuaded.
• The meeting highlighted the ongoing tensions between those in the administration who want to pursue more protectionist policies and those who believe in the value of free trade and alliances.

Quotes

“Mattis and Gary Cohn had several quiet conversations about The Big Problem: The president did not understand the importance of allies overseas, the value of diplomacy or the relationship between the military, the economy and intelligence partnerships with foreign governments.”

“All the air seemed to have come out of Tillerson. He could not abide Trump’s attack on the generals. The president was speaking as if the U.S. military was a mercenary force for hire. If a country wouldn’t pay us to be there, then we didn’t want to be there. As if there were no American interests in forging and keeping a peaceful world order, as if the American organizing principle was money.”

“He’s a fucking moron,” Tillerson said so everyone heard.”

“Cohn concluded that Trump was, in fact, going backwards. He had been more manageable the first months when he was a novice.”

“For Priebus, it was the worst meeting among many terrible ones. Six months into the administration, he could see vividly that they had a fundamental problem of goal setting. Where were they going? The distrust in the room had been thick and corrosive. The atmosphere was primitive; everyone was ostensibly on the same side, but they had seemed suited up in battle armor, particularly the president. This was what craziness was like, Priebus concluded”

“It seems clear that many of the president’s senior advisers, especially those in the national security realm, are extremely concerned with his erratic nature, his relative ignorance, his inability to learn, as well as what they consider his dangerous views.”

CHAPTER 28 - Tillerson's Resignation Considerations

Takeaways

• Trump's decision-making was often impulsive, based on personal relationships and chemistry rather than policy considerations or expertise.
• Trump frequently changed his mind on major issues, such as trade tariffs and repealing Obamacare.
• Trump prioritized loyalty over competence in hiring, leading to a chaotic West Wing with natural predators instead of rivals or experienced politicians.
• The lack of a cohesive team or clear leadership structure impeded progress on key issues such as health care and tax reform.
• Ivanka, Jared, Kellyanne Conway, and Steve Bannon were all natural predators who often clashed with each other and undermined the President's agenda through their actions and public statements.
• Trump failed to put political rivals or experienced politicians in key roles, leading to a lack of coordination and strategy within the White House.
• The result was a West Wing that resembled a zoo without walls, with competing agendas and personal vendettas driving decision-making rather than policy considerations or the national interest.

Quotes

“The president has zero psychological ability to recognize”

CHAPTER 29: The Charlottesville Clash

Takeaways

• Hundreds of white supremacists came into violent conflict with protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, resulting in a woman's death and injuries to others.
• White nationalists chanted "Jews will not replace us" and the Nazi slogan "Blood and Soil."
• Trump watched the events unfold from his golf course and issued a call for calm, but did not directly condemn white supremacists.
• Republican leaders criticized Trump for not denouncing white supremacy and domestic terrorism.
• Kelly had trouble conducting senior staff meetings due to technical difficulties.
• Rob Porter helped Trump draft a speech to address Charlottesville and bring the country together.
• Trump struggled with the draft, as it required him to directly condemn white supremacists and apologize for his initial response.
• Trump eventually gave a speech denouncing racism and hate groups, but was unhappy with the experience and felt forced into it.

Quotes

“Trump, who doesn’t touch type or use a keyboard,”

CHAPTER 30: The Infrastructure Proposal and Charlottesville Revisited

Takeaways

• Trump took a press briefing on Charlottesville without intending to take questions, but ended up answering queries about his earlier statements.
• Trump left out "both sides" from Saturday's statement during the press conference, adding that some counter-protesters were violent.
• Military leaders publicly rebuked Trump for his handling of Charlottesville situation.
• Several CEOs resigned from Trump's advisory councils due to his response to Charlottesville.
• Gary Cohn, Director of the National Economic Council, had a heated conversation with Trump about the Charlottesville statements and eventually resigned.
• Trump accused resigning CEOs of being "grandstanders" and attempted to blame their wives for their decisions.
• The Strategic & Policy Forum and Manufacturing Council disbanded due to resignations and criticism.
• House Speaker Ryan and Senate majority leader McConnell privately praised the CEOs for standing up against Trump's controversial statements.
• Cohn eventually chose to make a statement about his opposition to hate groups in an interview with the Financial Times.
• Trump continued to push for loyalty from advisors, even after resignations and criticism.
• Charlottesville was considered a turning point, where Trump's actions further divided the country and fueled hostility towards him.

Quotes

“There was no turning back. Trump had crossed the point of no return. To the Trump opponents and haters, he was un-American, racist.”

CHAPTER 31: Bannon's Exit and Afghanistan Decision

Takeaways

• Bannon urged Kelly to defend Trump and protect him from criticism, warning of potential trouble if no one covered for him.
• Republican senator Corker and Politico highlighted Trump's instability and anger issues, prompting concern among White House staff.
• Vice President Pence retweeted some of Trump's remarks but did not fully defend him against criticisms.
• Bannon felt that Trump should be winning the messaging war and encouraged a more aggressive stance on race-identity politics.
• Sessions and Kellogg argued for withdrawing from Afghanistan during an NSC meeting, while Pompeo advocated expanding CIA paramilitary role instead of adding troops.
• McMaster urged staying the course and adding up to 4,000 troops, emphasizing the need to prevent terrorists from attacking the U.S. or its allies.
• Trump expressed frustration with his generals and their recommendations, ultimately approving McMaster's four Rs strategy: Reinforce, Realign, Reconcile, and Regionalize.
• The memorandum admitted that a stalemate was likely to persist in Afghanistan and the Taliban were expected to continue gaining ground.
• Trump faced criticism from Bannon for his North Korea stance, with Bannon suggesting there was no military solution.
• Trump's Afghanistan strategy speech did not provide specific troop numbers or plans but aimed to push the war debate away from public attention.

Quotes

“Republican senator Bob Corker had told reporters “the president has not yet been able to demonstrate the stability nor some of the competence” needed to succeed in office.”

CHAPTER 32: White House Reorder

Takeaways

• The new chief of staff aimed to instill order and discipline in the White House by implementing a decision-making process.
• Every piece of paper, including decision memos, had to go through the Staff Secretary for review before being signed or implemented.
• Executive orders required at least two weeks to complete due to legal reviews.
• Decisions were not final until they were memorialized in a signed decision memo.
• The president initially resisted this new process but eventually grew accustomed to it.
• Kelly tried to give the president more "Executive Time" to reduce stress and ease up on his schedule.
• Trump assembled a group to discuss steel tariffs, ultimately deciding against implementing them due to potential consequences for tax reform.
• Trump ended DACA and then attempted to calm concerns of affected individuals that there would be no action taken during the six-month transition period.
• Trump lamented having poor legal representation and expressed concern about being distracted by investigations, potentially affecting his ability to effectively govern.

Quotes

“Trump had no understanding of how government functioned. At times he would just start drafting orders himself or dictating.”

“Trump liked signing. It meant he was doing things, and he had an up-and-down penmanship that looked authoritative in black Magic Marker.”

CHAPTER 33: Trump vs. Navarro: Trade War

Takeaways

• Cohn and Navarro had opposing views on trade policies.
• Cohn presented data to Trump showing that the U.S. auto industry was doing well and the U.S. won more cases in the WTO than lost.
• Navarro believed he had a direct line to the president and was promising him results, which led to chaos in the White House.
• Kelly held a meeting to assert control and made Navarro a member of the National Economic Council reporting to Cohn.
• Navarro was not happy with the decision and wanted to speak with the president.
• The president did not follow up on Navarro's request to speak with him, and they did not have any significant interaction for months.

Quotes

“NAFTA was another enduring Trump target. The president had said for months he wanted to leave NAFTA and renegotiate. “The only way to get a good deal is to blow up the old deal. When I blow it up, in that six months, they’ll come running back to the table.” His theory of negotiation was that to get to yes, you first had to say no. “Once you blow it up,” Cohn replied, “it may be over. That’s the most high-risk strategy. That either works or you go bankrupt.” Cohn realized that Trump had gone bankrupt six times and seemed not to mind. Bankruptcy was just another business strategy. Walk away, threaten to blow up the deal. Real power is fear.”

“In another discussion with the president, Cohn unveiled a Commerce Department study showing the U.S. absolutely needed to trade with China. “If you’re the Chinese and you want to really just destroy us, just stop sending us antibiotics. You know we don’t really produce antibiotics in the United States?” The study also showed that nine major antibiotics were not produced in the United States, including penicillin. China sold 96.6 percent of all antibiotics used here. “We don’t produce penicillin.” Trump looked at Cohn strangely. “Sir, so when mothers’ babies are dying of strep throat, what are you going to say to them?” Cohn asked Trump if he would tell them, “Trade deficits matter”? “We’ll buy it from another country,” Trump proposed. “So now the Chinese are going to sell it [antibiotics] to the Germans, and the Germans are going to mark it up and sell it to us. So our trade deficit will go down with the Chinese, up with the Germans.” U.S. consumers would be paying a markup. “Is that good for our economy?” Navarro said they would buy it through some country other than Germany. Same problem, Cohn said. “You’re just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”

“Cohn had put another document, “U.S. Record in WTO Disputes,” in the daily book that Porter compiled for the president at night. But Trump rarely if ever cracked it open. “The World Trade Organization is the worst organization ever created!” Trump said. “We lose more cases than anything.” “This is in your book, sir,” Cohn said, and brought out another copy. The document showed that the United States won 85.7 percent of its WTO cases, more than average. “The United States has won trade disputes against China on unfair extra duties on U.S. poultry, steel and autos, as well as unfair export restraints on raw materials and rare earth minerals. The United States has also used the dispute settlements system to force China to drop subsidies in numerous sectors.” “This is bullshit,” Trump replied. “This is wrong.” “This is not wrong. This is data from the United States trade representative. Call Lighthizer and see if he agrees.” “I’m not calling Lighthizer,” Trump said. “Well,” Cohn said, “I’ll call Lighthizer. This is the factual data. There’s no one that’s going to disagree with this data.” Then he added, “Data is data.”

CHAPTER 34: Trump and Kim Jong Un's Personal Face-off

Takeaways

• John Kelly struggled to control the chaotic West Wing and implement his preferred policies as White House chief of staff, particularly regarding immigration.
• Kelly's relationship with President Trump soured due to disagreements over policy, including the handling of DACA and border security, and communication style.
• Trump grew increasingly frustrated with Kelly's attempts to limit access to the Oval Office and control his interactions with advisors like Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller.
• In an attempt to mollify Trump's anger over immigration policy, Kelly encouraged him to nominate Kirstjen Nielsen as DHS secretary, despite her controversial past statements on the issue.
• When Trump grew displeased with Nielsen's confirmation and began listening to Fox News commentators who criticized her, Kelly threatened to resign in protest.
• Despite his concerns, Kelly continued to defend and advocate for Nielsen's nomination, which was eventually confirmed by the Senate.
• Trump frequently criticized the media and defended himself against negative coverage, often involving Kelly in these conversations due to his previous role as DHS secretary and current position as White House chief of staff.
• In private conversations with colleagues, Kelly expressed frustration with the job and questioned why anyone would want to work for the president.
• Trump continued to involve himself in legislative matters directly, often bypassing Kelly and other advisors.
• Tension arose between the White House and the State Department when Kelly tried to ensure that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was involved in decision-making processes.
• Reince Priebus, former White House chief of staff, received an unexpected call from Trump during which they discussed various topics, including Tillerson's performance and the Alabama Senate race.

Quotes

“In a small group meeting in his office one day, Kelly said of the president, “He’s an idiot. It’s pointless to try to convince him of anything. He’s gone off the rails. We’re in crazytown. “I don’t even know why any of us are here. This is the worst job I’ve ever had.”

CHAPTER 35: Lowering Corporate Tax Rate

Takeaways

• Trump wanted to reduce the corporate tax rate from 35% to 15%, bringing trillions of dollars back to the US
• Cohn agreed that reducing the corporate tax rate could bring economic growth and budget savings
• The Big Six came up with four principles for tax reform: simplification, middle-income relief, job creation, and repatriation of corporate funds
• Mnuchin proposed capping business income at lower personal tax rates but was met with opposition from Ryan and Brady
• Many Americans do not pay federal income tax and some even receive refundable tax credits, meaning the government brings in revenue from only 56% of taxpayers
• Trump had a marketing idea for the tax bill called "The Cut, Cut, Cut Bill" but it was ultimately named "The Tax Cut and Jobs Act" in the House
• Getting votes in the Senate required giving individual senators their favorite loopholes or tax breaks
• The final bill passed 51-48 with Vice President Pence breaking a tie, adding an estimated $1.5 trillion to the annual deficit over 10 years.

Quotes

“Cohn had a packet of Goldman Sachs–style charts and tables to educate the president on taxes. Trump was not interested and did not read it.”

CHAPTER 36: The Bannon-Trump Rift

Takeaways

• President Trump and Steve Bannon had contrasting views on Trump's presidency and foreign policy, particularly regarding China, Iran, and the role of the old order in politics.
• Bannon believed that Trump wanted to roll back Iran's influence and form alliances against it, while China was the real enemy. He criticized Trump for embracing the establishment and making compromises, such as his speech at Davos.
• Trump tried to intimidate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by tweeting about having a bigger nuclear button, which caused alarm among diplomats and raised questions about his mental stability.
• Bannon advocated removing US military dependents from South Korea as a last resort in dealing with North Korea, while Graham advised against it due to potential economic consequences and the risk of escalating tensions.

Quotes

“Grievance was a big part of Trump’s core, very much like a 14-year-old boy who felt he was being picked on unfairly. You couldn’t talk to him in adult logic. Teenage logic was necessary.”

CHAPTER 37 - The Saudi Standoff

Takeaways

• McMaster and Tillerson were in conflict over negotiating with Saudi Arabia for U.S. operations funding.
• Trump prioritized getting foreign governments to fund military and CIA operations.
• South Korea's KORUS trade agreement was a major point of contention between Trump and its president, Moon Jae-in.
• Trump wanted to separate trade and security issues, while Moon argued they were interconnected.
• Mattis warned Trump of the potential risks of disrupting relationships with allies, including the possibility of nuclear war.
• The U.S. military presence in South Korea provides significant benefits, including intelligence operations and defense against North Korean threats.
• Trump's obsession with trade deficits led him to question the value of alliances and military deployments abroad.
• Mattis and Dunford emphasized the importance of forward-deployed troops and the economic benefits of alliances to the U.S.
• Trump expressed frustration over perceived lack of burden sharing by allies, particularly in terms of military spending.
• The Air Force postponed nuclear missile tests due to potential diplomatic implications during the 2018 Winter Olympics.
• CIA concluded North Korea did not yet have the capability to accurately deliver a nuclear weapon into the U.S. mainland.

CHAPTER 38: Unclaimed Wealth of Afghanistan

Takeaways

• Trump was frustrated that China was mining minerals in Afghanistan while the US paid for the war
• Afghan president Ghani offered access to vast mineral wealth, but it would require building infrastructure and dealing with legal issues
• Trump wanted to seize the minerals and saw it as a capitalist opportunity
• McMaster was attempting to follow protocol and assess the situation, but Trump grew impatient
• Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross volunteered to handle the issue
• The State Department raised concerns about potential backlash from extremists and lack of infrastructure
• Analysts concluded that taking the minerals would be a long and costly process, with many areas controlled by the Taliban
• General Nicholson believed he could "win" in Afghanistan but intelligence indicated otherwise
• Some officials began planning for a potential withdrawal due to political instability, drought, and food insecurity
• Trump blamed former president George W. Bush and McMaster for the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan

Quotes

“Kelly seemed to be just trying to keep the ship from sinking. At a senior staff meeting in early 2018, he announced with pride, “I now know that I will not be the shortest-serving chief of staff. I’ve now surpassed Reince.” Priebus had served 189 days, the shortest tenure of any White House chief of staff in history.”

CHAPTER 39 - Graham's Pitch to Trump

Takeaways

• Trump and Graham played golf in December 2017, where Graham praised Trump for his job as commander-in-chief and urged him to focus on his legacy.
• During a meeting with senators and House members on immigration for the Dreamers in January 2018, Trump expressed openness to a deal but faced opposition from anti-immigration hardliners within his administration.
• Graham believed Trump was at his best during this negotiation process and saw potential for finally achieving a compromise on immigration.
• In a conversation with Graham following the meeting, Trump asked about changing libel laws, but Graham explained that it was not possible in the U.S.
• During the same conversation, Trump expressed frustration over criticism from the media and made derogatory comments about immigrants from certain countries.
• Miller served as the driving force behind the White House's hard-line DACA policy and advocated for border wall funding, an end to chain migration, and the diversity lottery.
• Graham publicly criticized Miller for hindering immigration negotiations and expressed confidence that Trump understood what would be effective politically.
• During a speech at CPAC in February 2018, Trump reiterated his commitment to building the wall and implementing strict immigration policies.
• Trump's relationship with Tillerson became strained, leading to Tillerson's eventual departure from the administration in March 2018.

Quotes

“Trump said, “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” He had just met with the prime minister of Norway. Why not more Norwegians?”

“from shithole countries come here?” He had just met with the prime minister of Norway. Why not more Norwegians? Or Asians who could help the economy? Durbin was sickened. Graham was floored.”

CHAPTER 40: President's Refusal to Testify

Takeaways

• Trump was interviewed by Dowd in preparation for a potential interview with Mueller's team.
• Trump had trouble recalling specific details about events that occurred before his presidency, particularly regarding Flynn and Comey.
• Dowd advised Trump to stick to the facts and avoid making wild conclusions or attacking individuals during an interview.
• Trump expressed frustration and anger towards Comey during the practice session with Dowd.
• Dowd and Sekulow wrote a letter on Trump's behalf, outlining their position on Mueller's investigation and refusing to allow Trump to testify. The letter asserted presidential privilege and argued that Mueller's investigation was politically motivated and a "witch hunt."
• Trump approved of the letter and did not want to testify in person, instead preferring to provide answers to specific questions in writing if necessary.

CHAPTER 41: The Tariff Debate

Takeaways

• In January 2018, a heated debate over tariffs took place in the Oval Office between Navarro, Ross, Cohn, and Porter.
• Cohn argued against tariffs due to potential market volatility and increased costs for businesses and consumers.
• Navarro argued for tariffs as a way to raise revenues and win union support.
• Porter warned of job losses in downstream industries and opposed beliefs that tariffs would be widely accepted.
• Trump, initially uncertain, eventually decided to move forward with steel tariffs before completing the 301 investigation with China.
• Cohn resigned due to disagreements over trade policy and perceived instability in the economy from tariffs.
• Tom Bossert, the president's adviser for homeland security, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism, provided television coaching on handling trade disputes with China.
• Trump encouraged going hard on determination but soft on maintaining relationships.
• Bossert was disappointed when his focus on the trade dispute was overshadowed by border security discussions during a TV interview.

CHAPTER 42: The Meeting

Takeaways

• John Dowd, one of President Trump's personal attorneys in the Russia investigation, believed that Special Counsel Robert Mueller was trying to trap Trump into testifying and potentially lying, which could lead to perjury charges.
• Dowd advised Trump against testifying in front of a grand jury or giving sworn statements, as he feared that Trump's tendency to exaggerate and sometimes misstate facts might lead to trouble.
• Dowd recommended that the White House make all relevant testimony and documents public, rather than having Trump testify, in order to avoid any potential pitfalls.
• Dowd also urged Trump to brief key leaders on Capitol Hill about the situation before making a public statement or taking any action.
• Despite Dowd's advice, Trump expressed a desire to testify and believed that he could handle Mueller.
• Dowd resigned from his position as Trump's attorney in March 2018 due to their disagreement over the matter of testifying.

Quotes

“But in the man and his presidency Dowd had seen the tragic flaw. In the political back-and-forth, the evasions, the denials, the tweeting, the obscuring, crying “Fake News,” the indignation, Trump had one overriding problem that Dowd knew but could not bring himself to say to the president: “You’re a fucking liar.”

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