Introduction
Michael Wolff's "Fire and Fury" offers a provocative and controversial insider's view of the early days of Donald Trump's presidency. Based on extensive interviews and observations, Wolff paints a picture of a chaotic White House, filled with infighting, incompetence, and a president who many of his own staff believed was unfit for office. The book caused a media storm upon its release, with its explosive revelations and gossipy tone. While some have questioned the accuracy of certain details, "Fire and Fury" provides a fascinating, if alarming, glimpse into one of the most unconventional presidencies in American history.
The Unexpected Victory
One of the most striking revelations in Wolff's book is just how unprepared Trump and his team were for actually winning the presidency. In the weeks leading up to the 2016 election, virtually no one in Trump's inner circle, including Trump himself, expected to win.
Trump reportedly assured his wife Melania that things would soon return to normal, as she had grown weary of the constant media scrutiny. Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway was already planning her next career move, eyeing a lucrative position as a cable news commentator. Even Trump himself was looking ahead to life after the campaign, considering the possibility of launching his own TV network.
This lack of preparation became glaringly apparent in the days following the surprise victory. Many on Trump's team were woefully unprepared for the intense scrutiny that comes with working in the White House. Some, like Paul Manafort, had backgrounds that didn't hold up well under close examination. Manafort had only agreed to work on the campaign after being assured by Jared Kushner that there was no chance of winning, and thus no risk of his questionable business dealings being investigated.
When the results came in and Trump emerged victorious, his entire team was left in a state of shock. The only ones who seemed to have had an inkling that victory was possible were Steve Bannon and his pollster. For everyone else, including Trump, the win was entirely unexpected and left them scrambling to prepare for a job they never truly believed they would have.
The Battle for Influence
As the reality of governing set in, deep divisions quickly emerged within Trump's inner circle. At the center of this conflict were two opposing factions: the populist, nationalist wing led by Steve Bannon, and the more moderate, globalist wing represented by Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner (dubbed "Jarvanka" by Bannon).
Bannon, coming from the world of far-right media outlet Breitbart, envisioned a presidency focused on economic nationalism, trade wars with China, and a retreat from international engagements. He saw himself as the ideological architect of "Trumpism" and believed he understood Trump's base better than anyone.
On the other side, Jarvanka hoped to steer Trump towards more mainstream Republican policies and sought to cultivate relationships with the business and political elite. They saw themselves as a moderating influence on Trump's more extreme impulses and believed they could shape him into a more traditional president.
This power struggle played out daily in the West Wing, with both sides vying for Trump's ear and attempting to influence policy decisions. Bannon quickly realized that Trump tended to agree with whoever spoke to him last, so he often maneuvered to have the final word in meetings.
The chaos and infighting that resulted from these competing agendas became a defining feature of the early Trump administration. Staff members were constantly on edge, never knowing which faction would be ascendant on any given day or which version of Trump they would encounter.
Governing by Executive Order
In the early days of the administration, Steve Bannon pushed for an aggressive strategy of governing through executive orders. This approach aligned with Trump's desire to project strength and decisiveness, while also bypassing the traditional legislative process that neither Trump nor his team fully understood.
Bannon had ambitious plans to issue a staggering 200 executive orders in the first 100 days of Trump's presidency. One of the most consequential and controversial of these early orders was the travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, issued on January 27, 2017.
The hasty and poorly planned rollout of this order exemplified the chaotic nature of the early Trump administration. According to Wolff, none of Trump's senior staff knew how to properly craft policy or write official documents. Instead, Bannon reportedly instructed a staffer to search online for instructions on how to write an executive order.
The travel ban sparked widespread protests and legal challenges, but Bannon viewed the outrage as a success. Coming from the world of provocative media, he saw no difference between positive and negative attention – to him, all publicity was good publicity.
This aggressive use of executive power marked a clear break from traditional governance and highlighted the administration's preference for unilateral action over negotiation and compromise. It also set the tone for a presidency that would be marked by controversy and legal battles.
The Struggle to Manage Trump
One of the central themes of Wolff's book is the constant struggle of Trump's staff to manage and control their unpredictable boss. This challenge was exemplified by Trump's reaction to the travel ban protests. When he invited television hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski to the White House, Trump was bewildered by their lack of enthusiasm for the ban. Despite the chaos at airports and the families being torn apart, Trump's assessment was simply, "We did great!"
This disconnect between Trump's perception and reality became a recurring issue for his staff. Jared and Ivanka saw themselves as the last line of defense against Trump's worst impulses, often trying to steer him towards more moderate positions. However, their influence was constantly challenged by Bannon and other hardliners who encouraged Trump's more combative instincts.
The book portrays Trump as easily swayed, often agreeing with whoever spoke to him last. This trait led to a constant jockeying for position among his advisors, each trying to be the last voice in Trump's ear before a decision was made.
Wolff describes various attempts by staff to manage Trump's information intake and decision-making process. For instance, his personal aide, Hope Hicks, would read newspapers for him and present a positive spin on the news each morning. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster tried to brief Trump using PowerPoint presentations, only to be met with anger and frustration from a president who reportedly dislikes reading detailed documents.
The challenge of managing Trump came to a head with the firing of FBI Director James Comey. Despite warnings from Bannon and others about the potential consequences, Trump impulsively decided to fire Comey after a weekend of discussions with Jared Kushner. This decision, made without proper planning or consideration of the fallout, led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller and marked a turning point in Trump's presidency.
The Russia Investigation
The specter of Russian interference in the 2016 election looms large throughout Wolff's account of the Trump administration. The book details how the investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia became an all-consuming issue for the White House, shaping both policy decisions and personal relationships.
Wolff describes the administration's growing panic as the investigation, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, began to expand. Jared Kushner, in particular, became increasingly concerned when he learned that the FBI was looking into the Trump family's finances.
The book provides a behind-the-scenes account of the decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, a move that would have far-reaching consequences. According to Wolff, it was Kushner who first suggested the idea to Trump, despite warnings from Steve Bannon that it would only make things worse.
The fallout from Comey's firing was immediate and severe. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, feeling betrayed by Trump's hasty action, appointed Robert Mueller as Special Counsel to oversee the Russia investigation. This development sent shockwaves through the White House and set the stage for an even more intense period of scrutiny.
Wolff also details the administration's clumsy attempts to manage the fallout from revelations about a meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and Russian representatives at Trump Tower. The book describes how Trump, Jared Kushner, and Hope Hicks crafted a misleading statement about the meeting while flying back from a G20 summit, potentially opening themselves up to obstruction of justice charges.
Throughout the book, Wolff portrays Trump as both dismissive of the Russia investigation and deeply frustrated by it. The president is described as railing against Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the investigation and even contemplating firing Mueller, despite warnings from his advisors about the political consequences of such a move.
Trump's Governing Style
Wolff's book paints a picture of a president who is fundamentally ill-suited to the demands of his office. One of the most striking assertions is that Trump doesn't read – not briefing papers, not intelligence reports, not even short memos. This aversion to reading is so pronounced that some White House staffers reportedly wondered if Trump might be dyslexic.
Instead of reading, Trump relies heavily on television, particularly cable news, for information. This preference for visual media over written reports has significant implications for how information is presented to the president and how decisions are made. For example, when trying to persuade Trump to take action on a chemical weapons attack in Syria, Ivanka Trump showed him graphic video footage rather than written briefings.
The book also highlights Trump's short attention span and difficulty processing complex information. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster reportedly struggled to brief the president, with Trump becoming visibly angry and frustrated during detailed policy discussions.
Trump's communication style is another focus of Wolff's book. The president is portrayed as impulsive and undisciplined, prone to early morning Twitter tirades and off-the-cuff remarks that often undermine his own administration's messaging. Wolff recounts numerous instances of Trump making inflammatory statements or revealing sensitive information, much to the dismay of his staff.
Perhaps most alarmingly, the book suggests that many of Trump's own advisors and cabinet members have serious doubts about his fitness for office. Wolff claims that senior officials routinely describe the president as childlike, with a need for instant gratification and an inability to focus on long-term strategy.
The Role of Family
One of the unique aspects of the Trump administration, as portrayed in "Fire and Fury," is the outsized role played by Trump's family members, particularly his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Wolff describes how "Jarvanka" quickly established themselves as key players in the White House, despite their lack of political experience.
Ivanka and Jared saw themselves as moderating influences on Trump, often pushing for more mainstream policy positions. They cultivated relationships with business leaders and sought to present a more polished image of the administration to the outside world.
However, their presence in the White House was a source of constant tension. Steve Bannon, in particular, viewed them as entitled dilettantes who fundamentally misunderstood Trump's appeal. He derisively referred to them as "the geniuses" and saw their globalist, centrist leanings as antithetical to the populist movement that brought Trump to power.
The book also delves into the complex family dynamics at play. Trump is portrayed as heavily reliant on Ivanka's approval, often deferring to her judgment. At the same time, Wolff suggests that Trump's relationship with his sons, particularly Donald Jr., is more strained and distant.
The blurring of lines between family, business, and government is a recurring theme. Wolff describes how Ivanka and Jared continued to be involved in their private business dealings while serving as senior advisors, raising ethical concerns and complicating policy discussions.
The Fall of Steve Bannon
Steve Bannon emerges as one of the most colorful and controversial figures in Wolff's account. As Trump's chief strategist, Bannon saw himself as the ideological architect of the administration, pushing for a radical agenda of economic nationalism and cultural conservatism.
Initially, Bannon wielded significant influence in the White House. He was instrumental in shaping Trump's early policy moves, including the travel ban and the decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. Bannon reveled in the chaos and outrage that these decisions generated, viewing it as a sign that they were disrupting the political establishment.
However, Bannon's abrasive personality and tendency to claim credit for Trump's victory eventually led to his downfall. The release of a book titled "The Devil's Bargain," which portrayed Bannon as the mastermind behind Trump's win, reportedly infuriated the president.
Wolff describes how Bannon became increasingly isolated within the White House, clashing not only with "Jarvanka" but also with other key figures like National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster. His hardline positions on issues like immigration and trade put him at odds with the more moderate voices in the administration.
By August 2017, Bannon's position had become untenable. He was forced out of the White House, returning to his role at Breitbart News. Even after his departure, Bannon continued to be a thorn in the administration's side, publicly criticizing Trump's decisions and backing primary challengers to establishment Republicans.
Wolff's book concludes with Bannon plotting his next moves in presidential politics, considering either backing another candidate or potentially running himself. The former chief strategist is quoted as putting the chances of Trump being impeached at 33.3 percent and expressing certainty that Trump won't last another term.
The Media and Trump
The relationship between Trump and the media is a central theme in "Fire and Fury." Wolff portrays Trump as obsessed with his media coverage, constantly watching cable news and reacting in real-time to how he's being portrayed.
This fixation on media coverage often drove policy decisions and personnel changes within the White House. Trump would reportedly become enraged by negative coverage, lashing out at staff members he blamed for bad press. Conversely, positive coverage could lead to sudden shifts in Trump's opinion on individuals or issues.
The book also delves into Trump's complex relationship with specific media figures. For instance, Wolff describes how Trump's relationship with Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" soured over time, leading to angry tweets and public feuds.
Trump's use of Twitter as a primary means of communication is another focus. Wolff portrays the president's early morning tweets as a constant source of anxiety for his staff, who often woke up to find that Trump had undermined their carefully crafted messaging or picked new fights with perceived enemies.
The book also highlights the administration's struggles with leaks to the press. Wolff himself became a controversial figure due to the access he was granted to the White House, with many questioning how he was able to gather so much sensitive information.
The Toll on Staff
Throughout "Fire and Fury," Wolff paints a picture of a White House in constant turmoil, with staff members struggling to cope with the demands of serving under Trump. The book describes an atmosphere of paranoia, backstabbing, and burnout.
Many of those who joined the administration, according to Wolff, did so with the belief that they could have a positive influence or at least mitigate some of Trump's worst impulses. However, they quickly found themselves overwhelmed by the chaos and unpredictability of Trump's leadership style.
The book recounts numerous instances of staff members being berated by Trump, often for things beyond their control. The constant stress and fear of being on the receiving end of Trump's anger led to high turnover rates and difficulty in recruiting qualified individuals for key positions.
Wolff also describes the toll that working in the Trump White House took on personal relationships. Many staffers found their reputations tarnished by association with the administration, leading to strained friendships and even marriages.
The challenges of managing Trump himself are a recurring theme. Staff members are portrayed as constantly trying to control the flow of information to the president, manage his schedule, and prevent him from making impulsive decisions. This task is described as exhausting and often futile, with Trump frequently ignoring advice and acting on his own instincts.
Policy Challenges
While much of "Fire and Fury" focuses on personalities and palace intrigue, Wolff also touches on the policy challenges faced by the Trump administration. The book highlights how the lack of political experience among Trump and many of his top advisors led to difficulties in translating campaign promises into actionable policies.
Healthcare reform, one of Trump's key campaign promises, is described as a particular struggle. Wolff portrays Trump as having little understanding of the complexities of the healthcare system and growing quickly bored with policy discussions on the topic. The failure to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act is presented as a major blow to the administration's credibility.
Foreign policy is another area where the administration's inexperience is said to have caused problems. Wolff describes Trump's approach to international relations as transactional and often at odds with long-standing U.S. alliances and diplomatic norms. The book recounts several instances of foreign leaders struggling to understand and adapt to Trump's unconventional style.
The administration's approach to immigration, one of Trump's signature issues, is also examined. Wolff describes internal debates over the travel ban and the proposed border wall, with more moderate voices often clashing with hardliners like Steve Bannon.
Economic policy is another focus, with Wolff detailing the tensions between the nationalist, protectionist wing of the administration and those advocating for more traditional Republican pro-business policies. The book suggests that Trump's own views on trade and economics were often malleable, swaying between different advisors' positions.
The 25th Amendment Discussions
One of the most explosive claims in "Fire and Fury" is that there were discussions among some cabinet members and White House staff about invoking the 25th Amendment, which provides a mechanism for removing a president deemed unfit to serve.
Wolff suggests that concerns about Trump's mental state and fitness for office were widespread among those who worked closely with him. The book describes instances of Trump repeating the same stories within minutes, failing to recognize old friends, and struggling to grasp basic policy concepts.
These concerns reportedly led to quiet conversations about the possibility of removing Trump from office. However, Wolff notes that these discussions never progressed beyond the theoretical stage, with most officials concluding that such a move would be too politically risky and potentially destabilizing.
The mere fact that such conversations were taking place, however, speaks to the unprecedented nature of the Trump presidency and the deep unease felt by many of those tasked with implementing his agenda.
The Impact on American Politics
Throughout "Fire and Fury," Wolff explores how the Trump presidency has reshaped American politics and challenged long-standing norms and institutions. The book suggests that Trump's unorthodox approach has had far-reaching consequences, both for his own administration and for the broader political landscape.
One of the key themes is the erosion of traditional party loyalties. Wolff describes how Trump, a political outsider, effectively took over the Republican Party, leaving many establishment figures struggling to adapt. The book also touches on the deepening polarization in American society, with Trump's confrontational style widening existing divides.
The changing nature of political communication is another focus. Trump's use of Twitter and his ability to dominate news cycles with provocative statements are presented as transformative elements in modern politics. Wolff suggests that this has forced both the media and other political figures to adapt their strategies.
The book also explores how Trump's presidency has challenged the norms of executive behavior. From his refusal to divest from his businesses to his public criticism of the judiciary and intelligence agencies, Trump is portrayed as pushing the boundaries of presidential power and conduct.
Wolff raises questions about the long-term impact of Trump's presidency on American democracy. He suggests that Trump's attacks on institutions like the free press and the electoral system could have lasting consequences, even beyond his time in office.
Conclusion
Michael Wolff's "Fire and Fury" offers a provocative and controversial insider's account of the early days of the Trump administration. While the accuracy of some of its claims has been disputed, the book provides a compelling narrative of a White House in chaos, led by a president who many of his own staff viewed as unfit for the job.
The book paints a picture of an administration torn between competing factions, struggling to translate campaign rhetoric into coherent policy, and constantly battling with the media. At the center of it all is Donald Trump himself, portrayed as impulsive, easily distracted, and often at odds with the responsibilities of his office.
Wolff's account raises serious questions about the functioning of the executive branch under Trump and the long-term implications for American democracy. It highlights the challenges of governing in an era of intense polarization and rapidly changing media landscapes.
While "Fire and Fury" is undoubtedly a partisan account and should be read with a critical eye, it provides valuable insights into one of the most unconventional presidencies in American history. Whether one views Trump's approach as a needed disruption of the political establishment or a dangerous degradation of democratic norms, Wolff's book offers much to consider about the state of American politics in the Trump era.
Ultimately, "Fire and Fury" serves as a stark reminder of the importance of competent leadership, strong institutions, and adherence to democratic norms in the face of political upheaval. It challenges readers to think critically about the qualities we seek in our leaders and the long-term health of our political system.