Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman book ‘Regime Change’ goes inside Trump’s 2nd term : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-07-15 13:56:00 — www.npr.org
Trump Dismisses Critical Book as “Fake News,” Embraces Power Projection in Second Term
President Trump has publicly dismissed the new book Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump as “mostly made up, Fake News, largely fiction, as have been most of the things [Haberman] has written about me for so many years,” according to a post on his Truth Social account. The book, authored by New York Times journalists Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman, is based on interviews with over 1,000 sources and paints a portrait of a president fixated on power and historical legacy.
Trump’s Self-Comparison to Notorious Leaders
During an interview for the book, Trump presented Swan and Haberman with a document that compared him to figures such as Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Attila the Hun, and Genghis Khan. The list, according to Swan, was focused solely on “pure power projection” and not on morality, with Trump reportedly relishing the comparison. This episode underscores the president’s ongoing obsession with being seen as a “great man of history” and helps explain the aggressive foreign policy moves of his second term, including the war with Iran and regime change efforts in Venezuela.
A White House Transformed
Swan describes Trump’s approach to the presidency in his second term as unrestrained, with little internal resistance from his team. The current administration is characterized by a close-knit group of loyalists, many of whom see their roles as intertwined with Trump’s personal and legal battles. This dynamic has led to a situation where Trump’s unfiltered ideas can quickly become official policy, with minimal checks from advisers.
Secrecy and Distraction in Decision-Making
The book also highlights the high level of secrecy surrounding key decisions, such as the planning for war with Iran, which left even senior officials out of the loop. Trump’s management style is described as chaotic, with meetings lacking structure and often derailed by unrelated distractions.
A Gilded Presidency
Trump’s taste for opulence is evident in his efforts to redecorate the White House in a style reminiscent of European monarchs, disregarding the traditional modesty of the Oval Office. Swan recounts Trump’s admiration for the palaces of Middle Eastern rulers and his attempts to replicate that grandeur in Washington, including building a grand ballroom and competing with Melania Trump over bedroom decor.
Interviewing Trump: Navigating an “Unreality Bubble”
Swan notes the challenge of interviewing Trump, describing the president’s communication as a “tidal wave of words,” many of which are “detached from reality or completely false.” Swan emphasizes the difficulty of fact-checking Trump in real time, as the president creates what he calls an “unreality bubble,” making it essential for interviewers to pick critical moments to challenge falsehoods.
Conclusion
President Trump’s response to Regime Change—dismissing it as fiction—fits a broader pattern of attacking critical reporting and projecting strength. The book’s depiction of his second term reveals a leader deeply invested in power, historical legacy, and personal loyalty, often at the expense of transparency and traditional governance norms. As Trump continues to shape the presidency in his own image, the challenges for journalists and the public in discerning fact from fiction remain as pressing as ever.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/15/nx-s1-5893633/trump-regime-change-jonathan-swan-maggie-haberman