President Donald Trump believes his current second term, secured in 2024, has empowered him to push the boundaries of executive authority more than if he had won re-election in 2020. This assertion is detailed in "Regime Change," a new book by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
The book suggests that Trump views himself as having transitioned from being "the hunted" during his first term to "the hunter" in his current one. This shift in perception is linked to a belief that a second term following a loss in 2020 has emboldened him to challenge norms and established institutions without facing the same potential pushback from his administration, the pandemic, economic issues, or an opposing Congress that might have occurred had he won in 2020.
Vice Presidential Speculation
According to the book, Trump has frequently discussed potential successors with aides, inquiring whether Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be better suited to follow him. While some donors favored Rubio, and some aides noted better personal chemistry between Rubio and the president, Trump has also expressed admiration for Vance's intellect and perceived abilities during interviews. Trump is also reportedly impressed by Rubio's background as the son of Cuban immigrants, remarking "Cubans love gold" in reference to Rubio after redecorating the Oval Office with gold accents.
Haberman and Swan note that Rubio and Vance are friends, citing an instance where Rubio offered to campaign with Vance following a scandal. The authors suggest that with both men vying for position ahead of the 2028 election, Trump may continue to dominate the political spotlight. Trump's frequent references to the two-and-a-half years remaining in his term, extending to Inauguration Day 2029, indicate he is unlikely to be overshadowed by other Republicans.
An anecdote illustrates this point: during a meeting with Vance and Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, Trump displayed "Trump 2028" baseball caps. When Jeffries gestured towards Vance and asked about his feelings on this, Trump responded that Vance was "fine" and "doesn't care," adding that they were giving him "a little more training." Vance offered "no comment" when prompted.
Handling of Epstein Investigation Files
The book also delves into the administration's handling of the release of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This reportedly led to a crisis response meeting in the Situation Room convened by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Vance's suggestion to involve Tucker Carlson in interviewing Ghislaine Maxwell. The release of this information has raised questions about whether audio recordings were made in a secure White House area, which could present a security concern.
White House Living Arrangements and Renovations
"Regime Change" also reports that Trump and the first lady are the first first couple to sleep in separate bedrooms since Richard and Pat Nixon, though the Clintons also briefly slept apart. Melania Trump occupies the traditional master bedroom in the Executive Residence, while the president sleeps in an adjacent room. The president has reportedly made significant decorative changes to his bedroom, sometimes moving items himself, including a gold-leaf-framed mirror that had been part of the first lady's redesign of another room, which was moved outside for selfies. The first lady's objections to some of the president's renovation ideas, such as paving over the Rose Garden for a patio, are also mentioned, though she ultimately lost a larger battle regarding the demolition of the East Wing to accommodate a new ballroom.
Foreign Policy Focus
Early in his second term, Trump reportedly discussed seizing Greenland and making Canada the 51st state. However, his private focus was more on Venezuela, even suggesting it could become a state where he could appoint the governor. Initially, special envoy Ric Grenell handled negotiations with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Rubio, however, argued that Maduro would prolong negotiations until Trump left office in 2029. Rubio reportedly spoke with Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, after U.S. forces entered Venezuela and deposed Maduro, urging her to maintain stability and prevent mass migration. Rodríguez remains in her position.
Trump also told the authors of a "love affair" with Venezuela stemming from his ownership of the Miss Universe pageant. This sentiment did not extend to Ukraine, which he reportedly disliked, with the exception of its women who won the Miss Universe title.
In conclusion, the book recounts an anecdote where Trump was told by a historian that he was the most powerful man in history, surpassing figures like Alexander the Great. Trump promoted this anecdote on social media, though he could not recall the historian's name. A White House staffer later clarified that the historian in question was, in fact, golfer Gary Player's longtime caddy.