Introduction
Maggie Haberman's "Confidence Man" offers a deep dive into the life and career of Donald Trump, from his early days as a New York real estate mogul to his tumultuous presidency. This comprehensive biography explores the forces that shaped Trump's personality, his rise to power, and the impact of his unique leadership style on American politics.
The Early Years: Shaping a Personality
A Formative Experience
In 1980, Donald Trump shared a story with a New York Times reporter about an event that supposedly shaped his worldview. He claimed that on November 21, 1964, he attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge with his father. Trump described it as a "sad experience," saying it rained all day, and the real hero - the bridge's designer, Othmar Ammann - wasn't even mentioned.
Trump said this taught him that people will walk all over you if you let them, and he vowed never to let anyone make a fool of him. However, this story was full of inaccuracies. Records show it was a sunny day, Ammann was introduced and applauded, and he wasn't Swedish as Trump claimed, but Swiss.
This anecdote reveals a key aspect of Trump's personality: his tendency to reshape reality to fit his narrative and present himself as the hero or victim, depending on the situation.
The Wollman Rink Incident
In 1986, Trump's approach to taking credit was on full display when he completed the renovation of the Wollman Rink in New York's Central Park. At the opening ceremony, Trump took all the credit, failing to acknowledge the work of city officials, contractors, or the construction firm. This behavior led Art Nusbaum, the head of the construction firm, to refuse to work with Trump again, citing his narcissism.
Influential Figures
Two key figures played significant roles in shaping Trump's personality and approach to business and life:
Fred Trump (Father): Fred, a successful real estate developer, instilled in his children the importance of perseverance. He taught them to keep going no matter what, even in the face of personal crises. Donald never deviated from his father's plans, following the educational path laid out for him.
Roy Cohn: A legendary New York lawyer known for his aggressive tactics, Cohn became a mentor to Trump in the 1970s. Cohn's "fight-tooth-and-nail-for-everything" approach resonated with Trump. Cohn's transactional view of relationships - liking people who could be useful and discarding those who couldn't - also aligned with Trump's developing worldview.
The Making of a Brand
Political Beginnings
Trump's interest in politics began early in his business career. As a real estate developer, he recognized the importance of knowing which politicians controlled zoning approvals and tax relief. However, as the 1980s progressed, Trump became more aggressive in associating his name with headline-grabbing issues.
In 1989, following a high-profile assault case in Central Park, Trump took out full-page ads in major New York newspapers calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty. This marked an early instance of Trump using current events to amplify his voice and brand.
Flirting with Politics
Despite his growing political voice, Trump remained hesitant about entering politics directly. Roger Stone, a political consultant with a reputation for "dirty tricks," saw Trump's potential as a candidate as early as 1980. After the success of Trump's book "The Art of the Deal" in 1987, Stone encouraged him to test the political waters.
Trump considered running for president several times:
- As a Republican in 1988
- On the Reform Party ticket in 2000
- As a Republican again in 2012
Each time, he pulled back before fully committing to a campaign.
Weathering Financial Storms
The 1990s were a challenging period for Trump. He went through two high-profile divorces, faced failing business deals, and struggled with massive debt. In August 1990, the Wall Street Journal reported his net worth as negative $294 million. In 1995, he claimed personal losses of $916 million.
Throughout these difficulties, Trump consistently blamed others for his problems. However, he also demonstrated a remarkable ability to control his own narrative. By the late 1990s, he was staging a comeback. His 1997 book, "The Art of the Comeback," helped reshape public perception of his financial situation. Trump began claiming billionaire status, regardless of the actual state of his finances.
The Apprentice: A Game-Changer
In 2004, Trump found a new platform that would significantly boost his brand recognition: "The Apprentice." As the star of this reality TV show for over a decade, Trump expanded his brand reach dramatically. Soon, everything from bottled water to mattresses carried the Trump brand.
Mastering Social Media
Trump's adoption of Twitter further amplified his voice. Initially using it to promote his products, he soon discovered its potential as a political soapbox. By the 2012 election cycle, Twitter had become a crucial tool for Trump to share his political views and aspirations.
The Road to the White House
Rebranding for Politics
As Trump began to seriously consider a presidential run, his team worked to reframe his image within the Republican Party. This involved:
- Downplaying his playboy image
- Walking back some of his more progressive views from his Reform Party days
- Adopting a more conservative stance on issues like abortion and healthcare
Tapping into Voter Anger
The 2008 economic crisis had left many voters angry and disillusioned with the political establishment. The rise of the Tea Party movement had mobilized these voters and encouraged outsider candidates. Trump's brash style and outsider status resonated with this growing segment of the electorate.
The Power of Controversy
Trump's willingness to make controversial statements set him apart from traditional politicians. His promotion of the debunked "birther" theory questioning Barack Obama's citizenship kept him in the headlines. The more outrageous his comments, the more media attention he received.
This approach proved effective during the 2016 campaign. When Trump proposed banning Muslims from entering the country, other Republican candidates condemned the remarks. However, even negative press seemed to boost Trump's campaign. His refusal to back down or apologize for controversial statements became a hallmark of his political style.
Defying Expectations
Throughout the 2016 campaign, Trump consistently defied expectations. His unorthodox approach confused and frustrated both his opponents and the Republican establishment. Traditional political wisdom seemed not to apply to Trump. As one advisor noted, "I've never seen a situation before where someone fucks up and their numbers go up."
The Trump Presidency
A Chaotic White House
Trump ran the White House much like he had run his businesses:
- Keeping staff siloed off from one another
- Encouraging rivalries and competition among staff members
- Pushing back against attempts to control or manage him
- Showing little tolerance for bad news
This management style led to a chaotic work environment, with staff members often fighting for Trump's approval and throwing each other "under the bus" to avoid blame.
High Turnover
Trump's presidency was marked by unprecedented turnover in key positions. By mid-2019, Trump had lost more of his original cabinet than Reagan, Obama, and both Bushes. He went through:
- Three press secretaries
- Three chiefs of staff
- Six communications directors
Many staff members were fired or resigned due to conflicts with Trump or inability to meet his demands.
Seeking a Roy Cohn Figure
Throughout his presidency, Trump seemed to be searching for someone who could play the role Roy Cohn had in his earlier career - someone who would fight every battle aggressively and tell his enemies to "go to hell." This search led to conflicts with several key figures:
- James Comey: Trump's attempts to secure loyalty and leniency from the FBI director backfired, leading to Comey's firing and subsequent investigations.
- Jeff Sessions: Trump's first Attorney General angered him by recusing himself from the Russia investigation, leading to his eventual dismissal.
Transactional Foreign Policy
Trump approached foreign policy with the same transactional mindset he had used in business. He viewed international relationships in terms of direct benefits to the United States, often questioning long-standing alliances and commitments.
For example, Trump questioned the value of the U.S. military presence in South Korea, viewing it as a bad deal if South Korea wasn't directly compensating the U.S. for protection. This simplistic view of complex international relationships often put him at odds with foreign policy experts and long-standing U.S. allies.
Impeachment and Ukraine
Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy led to his first impeachment in 2019. A phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Trump appeared to withhold military aid in exchange for an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden, echoed the kind of quid pro quo deals Trump was accustomed to in his business career.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The global COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique challenge to the Trump administration. Trump's response to the crisis was characterized by:
- Viewing the pandemic as a personal affront ("Can you believe this is happening to me?")
- Resistance to expert advice that contradicted his own opinions
- Frustration with restrictions that limited his ability to hold large campaign rallies
The pandemic significantly impacted Trump's re-election campaign, limiting his ability to connect with supporters through his preferred method of large, in-person rallies.
The 2020 Election and Its Aftermath
A Challenging Campaign
The 2020 election presented unique challenges for Trump:
- The COVID-19 pandemic limited traditional campaigning methods
- His opponent, Joe Biden, was able to effectively communicate without large in-person events
- Trump's handling of the pandemic had become a major campaign issue
Refusing to Concede
When Joe Biden won both the popular vote and the Electoral College, Trump refused to concede defeat. Instead, he:
- Claimed widespread voter fraud without evidence
- Initiated numerous legal challenges in key states
- Promoted a "Stop the Steal" campaign with the help of allies like Roger Stone and Rudy Giuliani
The January 6 Insurrection
Trump's refusal to accept the election results culminated in the events of January 6, 2021. On the day Congress was set to certify the Electoral College votes, Trump:
- Encouraged supporters to come to Washington D.C. for a "wild" protest
- Pushed the idea that Vice President Mike Pence could somehow overturn the election results
- Gave a fiery speech to supporters before they marched to the Capitol
The resulting riot saw thousands of Trump supporters breach the Capitol building, leading to multiple deaths and widespread damage. This unprecedented attack on the seat of American democracy marked a dark conclusion to Trump's presidency.
The Final Days
In the wake of the January 6 insurrection, Trump finally began to consider leaving the White House, though still without admitting defeat. His final days in office were marked by:
- A flurry of pardons, with nearly 150 issued in his last days
- Increasing isolation as many staff members resigned in protest
- A reluctant preparation for the transition of power
As Trump left the White House for the last time, the song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra played - a fitting soundtrack for a presidency that had consistently defied norms and expectations.
The Trump Legacy
A Transformed Republican Party
Trump's presidency fundamentally altered the Republican Party:
- Traditional conservative principles were often overshadowed by Trump's personal brand of politics
- Loyalty to Trump became a key factor in Republican primaries and elections
- The party base became more aligned with Trump's populist messaging and confrontational style
Erosion of Democratic Norms
Trump's presidency challenged many long-standing democratic norms:
- His attacks on the media as "fake news" undermined trust in journalism
- His claims of election fraud without evidence weakened faith in the electoral process
- His encouragement of the January 6 insurrection represented a direct threat to the peaceful transfer of power
A Divided Nation
Trump's presidency left America more politically divided than ever:
- His confrontational style deepened existing political rifts
- Issues like immigration, climate change, and healthcare became even more polarizing
- Trust in government institutions and the electoral process was severely damaged
Global Impact
Trump's "America First" approach had significant effects on global politics:
- Traditional alliances were strained
- The U.S. withdrew from several international agreements and organizations
- America's global leadership role was questioned by allies and exploited by rivals
Final Thoughts
Maggie Haberman's "Confidence Man" provides a comprehensive look at the forces that shaped Donald Trump and his impact on American politics. From his early days in New York real estate to his tumultuous presidency, Trump's personality and approach remained remarkably consistent:
- An unwavering belief in his own abilities and instincts
- A transactional view of relationships and loyalty
- A willingness to push boundaries and break norms
- An ability to reshape narratives to suit his needs
- A confrontational approach to challenges and criticism
These traits, honed over decades in the public eye, served Trump well in his rise to the presidency. However, they also contributed to the chaos of his administration and the unprecedented events that marked its conclusion.
Trump's presidency will likely be remembered as one of the most consequential and controversial in American history. It exposed deep divisions within the country, challenged fundamental democratic institutions, and reshaped the political landscape in ways that will be felt for years to come.
As America moves forward, the legacy of the Trump era continues to shape political discourse and policy debates. The full impact of his presidency may not be fully understood for years to come, but there's no doubt that Donald Trump left an indelible mark on American politics and society.
Whether viewed as a disruptive force for change or a threat to democratic norms, Trump's journey from reality TV star to President of the United States is a testament to his unique ability to capture public attention and reshape political realities. "Confidence Man" offers valuable insights into the making of this polarizing figure and the forces that propelled him to the highest office in the land.
As America grapples with the aftermath of the Trump presidency, the lessons and warnings contained in Haberman's book serve as a crucial resource for understanding this pivotal period in the nation's history. By examining the roots of Trump's rise to power and the consequences of his unconventional approach to governance, we can better navigate the complex political landscape he left behind and work towards healing the divisions that have come to define contemporary American politics.