How Donald Trump Has Reshaped the US Presidency, According to New Book 'Regime Change'
New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan have released a new book, Regime Change, examining Donald Trump's second term in the White House. The book portrays an administration that is fundamentally altering the presidency, both in how Americans view the office and how the world perceives the American president.
Haberman told ABC's 7.30 program that within the first few months of Trump's second term, it became clear they were witnessing "a form of regime change in our own country." She described it as "a fundamental remaking of the presidency," not only in terms of presidential behavior but also in how the rest of the world views an American president.
The authors highlight a stark contrast between Trump's first and second terms. In his first term, from 2017 to 2021, Trump did not know how Washington worked and relied on traditional establishment figures, including former Secretary of Defense James Mattis and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. According to Swan, this time Trump was careful not to involve people who "despised his worldview."
"By the end of his term he really resented the effect that they had on his presidency," Swan said. "Talking him out of things that he wanted to do, like starting a massive trade war, pulling American troops out of areas around the world, pursuing more ambitious foreign policies, going after his enemies."
The book describes the first term as "diluted Trump," a different phenomenon from what has unfolded since January 2025 when Trump returned to the Capitol for his second oath of office. Haberman noted, "This term, this White House, is really unrecognisable to the last one."
A significant focus of the book is the administration's ability to keep secrets. Haberman said the administration is "very good at keeping secrets," and she cited Trump's health as a prime example.
"His health has always been a very specific lockbox for him, going back decades," Haberman said. "Illness freaks him out; he perceives illness as weakness, usually, and he certainly perceives any sense that he is having an issue as a projection of weakness, and his advisers are very, very attuned to that."
Haberman explained that the number of people who actually know what is happening with Trump's health has decreased over time. "They've provided less and less information, except for saying things like, 'He saw 22 specialists,' but they won't say who the specialists are at Walter Reed, and it has been on just a sliding scale since term one," she said.
She noted that in 2018, the last time real health information was provided, and that officials were "not honest at all about how sick he was during Covid in 2020." Consequently, the extent of his illness and any after-effects remain unknown.
Haberman expressed doubt about whether the public will learn of any more significant health issues before Trump's term ends. "Will we know before the end of his term if there is something more significant? Doesn't seem likely on that trajectory," she said. "I don't want to make predictions."
The book also describes Trump's behavior, including sleep-ins after social media all-nighters, documents hoarded in chaotic, garbage-strewn quarters, and the president's physical condition, with observations of slurred words, shuffling steps, bruised hands, and swollen ankles.
Perspectives
Haberman and Swan's View: The authors argue that Trump's second term represents a significant break from the past, with a more insulated and secretive administration that is less constrained by traditional checks and balances. They emphasize Trump's focus on loyalty and his avoidance of advisers who might challenge his worldview.
Implicit Criticism: The book's portrayal of Trump's health secrecy and his behavior in office implies a critical view of his fitness and transparency, though the authors stop short of making explicit judgments, instead presenting observations and quotes.