1 hour ago - Politics & Policy
Jonathan Swan's 3 things that every CEO needs to know about Trump
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I never read Trump books. To me, there's little mystery to how the president thinks, operates or governs. So reading about it is an inefficient use of time.
- Until now. Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan (two reporters I told you are must-reads for Trump Kremlinology) deliver cinematic living history with "Regime Change," which sparked a West Wing leak hunt.
I asked Swan, a longtime friend, to share three things he learned that CEOs should know for navigating Trump, giving us all an insight into the way the president thinks:
- Play to his Great Man theory. Trump couldn't care less about winning the midterms, boosting his domestic popularity or even helping set up Vice President Vance to succeed him. Trump's singular obsession, fed by his staff and friendly historians, is being seen as a Great Man of WORLD history. Want his attention? Explain how you can help build literal and figurative monuments to POTUS.
- Master the oligarchy. Trump pops off in public but runs a more discreet operation with a half-dozen loyalists plotting future moves. They sometimes use the Situation Room to secretly hatch domestic plans to limit leaks. This group includes: Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Stephen Miller and chief of staff Susie Wiles.
- Expect more volatility. Trump is playing for history and searching for grand gestures. It won't be surprising if he seeks a deal with China to carve up the world map or expands his territorial ambitions south of the border.
Bonus thought: Don't underestimate the backdoor power of phoning Trump after dark, when he's alone and fielding calls long after midnight.
- Lots of people go direct by getting his cell (like reporters do) or working through Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other night-owl Trump pals.
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