Journalists Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman have released a new book titled "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," detailing the inner workings of Donald Trump’s second term. The authors conducted over 1,000 interviews, including a sit-down with Trump himself, to document changes in the administration’s personnel and the president's approach to executive power.
Swan reported that Trump’s second term differs significantly from his first, citing a lack of internal dissent. While the first term included senior officials who actively sought to restrain the president's impulses, Swan stated that the current administration is composed of loyalists who share Trump's views. The book also describes Trump’s focus on historical "greatness," noting that the president reportedly showed the authors a list comparing his power projection to that of historical figures such as Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin.
The book explores Trump’s shift toward more interventionist foreign policies, including the conflict with Iran and efforts regarding regime change in Venezuela. Swan observed that regarding the war with Iran, Trump appears to recognize the conflict has not proceeded according to initial projections. The authors also noted physical changes to the White House, describing a shift toward more ornate, "gilded" decor that Swan characterized as a departure from republican modesty.
In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump dismissed the book’s contents, labeling it "mostly made up" and "fake news." He further categorized the work as "largely fiction," continuing his long-standing criticism of Haberman’s reporting on his administration.