"I Alone Can Fix It" by Carol Leonnig provides an inside look at Donald Trump's tumultuous final year as president of the United States. The book chronicles the events of 2020 and early 2021, a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice protests, a contentious election, and ultimately the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Through extensive reporting and interviews with insiders, Leonnig reveals how Trump's actions and decisions during this critical time shaped the course of events and led to an unprecedented crisis in American democracy.
As 2020 began, the United States was already a divided nation, with Trump's unconventional presidency a source of both adoration and loathing among the populace. However, the economy was strong, unemployment was low, and the country's institutions continued to function. By the end of the year, this relative stability had given way to economic freefall, violent political divisions, and a staggering death toll from the coronavirus pandemic.
While the global COVID-19 outbreak played a significant role in the chaos that unfolded, Leonnig argues that Trump's response to the crisis and his subsequent actions exacerbated the situation. The book details how Trump's focus on political calculation rather than public health, his undermining of scientific expertise, and his ultimate refusal to accept electoral defeat contributed to a perfect storm that threatened the very foundations of American democracy.
Trump's Initial Response to COVID-19
Slow to Recognize the Threat
As 2020 dawned, few could have predicted the seismic events that would unfold over the coming months. On New Year's Eve, Donald Trump was in high spirits, celebrating at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and promising a "fantastic" year ahead. However, even as the champagne flowed, the first warning signs of a looming crisis were emerging.
Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), received an email from the agency's outpost in China reporting an outbreak of an unidentified respiratory illness in Wuhan. This development was particularly concerning to public health experts like Redfield, who had long warned that a pandemic caused by a respiratory disease was one of the most significant threats facing the world.
Despite the potential gravity of the situation, Trump was slow to grasp the severity of the threat. When Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar attempted to brief the president on the emerging virus in early January, Trump was more concerned with the controversy surrounding flavored e-cigarettes and his upcoming impeachment trial. This early lack of focus on the virus would set the tone for much of the administration's initial response.
As January progressed, the situation in China deteriorated rapidly. Hospitals were overwhelmed, morgues were full, and entire regions were placed under lockdown. It became increasingly clear that this new coronavirus, later named COVID-19, was not going to be easily contained. However, Trump continued to downplay the threat, telling supporters that everything was "under control" and dismissing warnings from allies like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Political Calculations Over Public Health
Trump's approach to the pandemic was shaped more by political considerations than by public health concerns. With the 2020 election looming, the president was acutely aware that his strongest selling point to voters was the robust economy. Any measures to contain the virus that might negatively impact economic growth were viewed with skepticism and resistance.
This political calculus led to a reluctance to take decisive action in the early stages of the outbreak. When advisers like Redfield and Azar pushed for a ban on travel from China, Trump initially resisted, concerned about the economic impact. It was only after they framed the potential cost of unchecked spread of the virus in economic terms – potentially trillions of dollars in damage – that Trump agreed to implement travel restrictions.
Even as the virus began to spread within the United States, Trump continued to prioritize political messaging over public health guidance. He publicly contradicted and undermined his own administration's experts, downplaying the severity of the virus and making unfounded claims about its spread and potential treatments. This approach created confusion and hindered efforts to implement effective containment measures.
Undermining Public Health Messaging
As the pandemic worsened in March 2020, Trump found himself caught between advisers calling for strict lockdown measures and those urging him to keep the economy open. After initially resisting calls for a national lockdown, Trump abruptly changed course and ordered widespread restrictions on March 16. However, his subsequent actions and statements often contradicted and undermined the very measures his administration had put in place.
Trump's communication style during this critical period was often counterproductive. His tendency to go off-script during important announcements led to confusion and panic. For example, when announcing travel restrictions, he mistakenly suggested that the order applied to freight as well as passengers, causing unnecessary economic disruption. His failure to clarify that American citizens abroad would be allowed to return home led to chaos at airports, with large crowds gathering in violation of social distancing guidelines.
The president's promotion of unproven treatments for COVID-19 was particularly problematic. He repeatedly touted hydroxychloroquine as a "miracle cure" despite a lack of scientific evidence, potentially endangering those who followed his advice. His suggestion that injecting disinfectant might be an effective treatment was not only dangerously misguided but also forced public health officials to spend valuable time and resources countering this misinformation.
Perhaps most damaging was Trump's refusal to follow or endorse basic public health measures such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Despite the CDC's strong recommendation that Americans wear face coverings to slow the spread of the virus, Trump refused to be seen in a mask, viewing it as a sign of weakness. This stance undermined efforts to encourage widespread mask usage and likely contributed to the politicization of this simple public health measure.
The Black Lives Matter Protests and Trump's Response
George Floyd's Death and the Eruption of Protests
The summer of 2020 brought another crisis to Trump's presidency with the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, by Minneapolis police officers. Floyd's death on May 25, captured on video as an officer knelt on his neck for over nine minutes, ignited widespread protests against police brutality and systemic racism across the United States.
Initially, Trump appeared to be genuinely shocked and disturbed by the footage of Floyd's death. Aides reported that the president showed an unusual level of empathy, asking, "What the fuck happened here?" However, this moment of apparent concern quickly gave way to political calculations as Trump considered how the unfolding events might impact his reelection prospects.
As protests spread to major cities across the country, Trump's response became increasingly divisive. While most demonstrations were peaceful, instances of looting and violence in some areas provided fodder for right-wing media outlets to portray the protests as chaotic and dangerous. Trump, a frequent consumer of conservative media, began to embrace this narrative, characterizing protesters as "thugs" and calling for a harsh law enforcement response.
The White House Bunker Incident and Its Aftermath
A pivotal moment came on May 29 when protesters surrounded the White House. The size and intensity of the crowd led Secret Service agents to evacuate Trump to an underground bunker for his safety. When this information was leaked to the press, Trump vehemently denied it, apparently viewing the incident as a humiliation that undermined his image as a strong leader.
This perceived embarrassment seemed to harden Trump's stance on the protests. He began to more fully embrace the law-and-order rhetoric promoted by conservative media, calling for the use of military force to quell demonstrations in cities across the country. His inflammatory tweet that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" further escalated tensions and drew widespread criticism.
Trump's response to the protests was largely shaped by his concern for his public image and his belief that a tough, uncompromising stance would appeal to his base supporters. However, this approach alienated many moderate voters and widened the political divide in the country. It also distracted from the underlying issues of racial injustice and police reform that the protests sought to address.
The Campaign Trail and COVID-19
Resuming Rallies Amid the Pandemic
As the summer progressed, Trump became increasingly focused on his reelection campaign, viewing it as his top priority despite the ongoing pandemic and social unrest. In June, he announced plans to resume his signature campaign rallies, much to the concern of public health officials who warned about the risks of large gatherings during a pandemic.
The first major rally was held on June 20 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Trump insisted on an indoor venue, rejecting advice to hold the event outdoors where the risk of virus transmission would be lower. This decision was emblematic of Trump's approach to the pandemic – prioritizing optics and political messaging over public health concerns.
The Tulsa rally proved to be a disaster on multiple fronts. Attendance was far lower than expected, with large sections of the arena sitting empty. This visual failure was a blow to Trump, who prided himself on drawing large crowds. More significantly, the event became a super-spreader of COVID-19. In the week following the rally, Tulsa County saw a record spike in coronavirus cases. Several high-profile attendees contracted the virus, including Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and former presidential candidate Herman Cain, who later died from COVID-19 complications.
The Tulsa rally encapsulated Trump's mishandling of the pandemic. By ignoring health guidelines, downplaying the risks, and prioritizing political spectacle over safety, Trump not only endangered his supporters but also sent a message to the broader public that the virus was not to be taken seriously. This approach contributed to the United States' struggle to contain the spread of COVID-19 and likely played a role in the country's high death toll.
The Impact on Trump's Political Fortunes
As the death toll from COVID-19 continued to rise through the summer, Trump's approval ratings began to plummet. By mid-summer, 58 percent of voters disapproved of his handling of the pandemic. The president's insistence on downplaying the severity of the virus and his resistance to basic public health measures like mask-wearing increasingly put him at odds with public sentiment.
Trump's advisers urged him to project hope and reassurance to a fatigued public, but the president struggled to strike the right tone. His irritability and defensiveness in the face of criticism further alienated voters looking for steady leadership during a crisis. As one adviser noted, voters didn't want a strongman – they wanted someone who appeared to "give a shit about them."
The president's paranoia and tendency to see conspiracies against him further undermined his political fortunes. He began to claim, without evidence, that pharmaceutical companies were deliberately delaying the release of a COVID-19 vaccine to hurt his reelection chances. He also attacked Dr. Anthony Fauci, a respected member of his own coronavirus task force who had become popular with the public for his clear and factual communication about the pandemic. These actions further eroded public trust in Trump's leadership and his ability to manage the crisis.
Trump's Own Battle with COVID-19
Contracting the Virus
Despite the high risk posed by COVID-19 to someone of Trump's age and health profile, the White House had been surprisingly lax in protecting the president from infection. The administration's cavalier attitude towards basic precautions like mask-wearing and social distancing extended to the president himself, who often mocked such measures.
On September 30, Trump began to show symptoms of COVID-19. His voice became raspy, and he appeared less energetic than usual. Rapid antigen and PCR tests confirmed that the president had indeed contracted the virus. While the White House initially downplayed the severity of Trump's condition, the situation behind closed doors was far more serious.
Trump's blood oxygen levels began to fall dangerously low, putting him at risk of hypoxia and potentially sudden death. Despite his reluctance, doctors insisted that he be hospitalized. Trump finally agreed when it was pointed out that if his condition worsened rapidly, power might have to be transferred to Vice President Mike Pence.
Treatment and Recovery
At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Trump received an aggressive cocktail of treatments, including experimental monoclonal antibody therapies and the steroid dexamethasone. This level of care, far beyond what was available to most Americans at the time, likely played a crucial role in Trump's relatively quick recovery.
Trump's brush with COVID-19 presented an opportunity for him to change his approach to the pandemic. His campaign staff saw it as a chance for him to show empathy, to connect with the millions of Americans who had been affected by the virus, and to demonstrate that he now understood the seriousness of the crisis.
However, Trump, ever fearful of appearing weak, chose to downplay his illness instead. He insisted on being photographed working from his hospital bed (signing blank pieces of paper for the cameras) and made a point of returning to the White House earlier than doctors advised. Upon his return, he dramatically removed his mask for the cameras, sending a message that contradicted public health guidance.
Perhaps most controversially, Trump told the public, "Don't be afraid of Covid. Don't let it dominate your life." This statement, made at a time when the U.S. death toll from the virus was approaching 210,000, struck many as callous and out of touch. It reinforced the perception that Trump did not fully grasp or care about the suffering the pandemic had caused for ordinary Americans.
Trump's handling of his own illness was a microcosm of his broader approach to the pandemic – prioritizing image over substance, dismissing expert advice, and failing to show the kind of leadership and empathy that many Americans were desperately seeking during a time of national crisis.
The 2020 Election and Its Aftermath
Election Night and Trump's Premature Victory Claim
As Election Day 2020 approached, polls showed Trump trailing Joe Biden by a significant margin. However, early results on election night seemed more favorable to Trump than many had expected, particularly among Black and Latino voters. This early trend gave the Trump campaign a glimmer of hope.
However, due to the unprecedented number of mail-in ballots cast because of the pandemic, it was clear that vote counting would take longer than usual. Importantly, these mail-in votes were expected to lean heavily towards Biden, creating a scenario where Trump's early leads in key states could evaporate as more votes were counted.
Despite warnings from his own staff about the dangers of making premature declarations, Trump, encouraged by his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, decided to claim victory before all votes had been counted. In a late-night speech, Trump declared, "I won in a landslide," and suggested that attempts to continue counting votes amounted to fraud.
This baseless claim of victory marked the beginning of Trump's sustained effort to undermine faith in the election results. It set the stage for weeks of legal challenges, conspiracy theories, and ultimately, the events that would unfold on January 6, 2021.
Legal Challenges and Conspiracy Theories
As mail-in ballots continued to be counted in the days following the election, Biden's lead grew in key battleground states. Trump and his team responded with a barrage of lawsuits challenging the results in various states, alleging widespread fraud without providing credible evidence.
Trump's legal team, led by Rudy Giuliani, embarked on a series of increasingly bizarre press conferences and court appearances. They made outlandish claims about international conspiracies, rigged voting machines, and massive ballot dumps, none of which stood up to scrutiny in court. In fact, Trump's team lost nearly all of their legal challenges, with judges – including some appointed by Trump himself – dismissing the cases for lack of evidence.
Despite the lack of success in court, Trump continued to push the narrative of a stolen election. He used his Twitter account to spread misinformation and rally his supporters around the idea that he was the victim of a vast conspiracy. This sustained assault on the integrity of the election began to have a corrosive effect on public trust in the democratic process.
The January 6 Capitol Riot
As all legal avenues to overturn the election results were exhausted, Trump and his allies focused on January 6, 2021 – the day Congress was set to certify the Electoral College results. Trump promoted a rally in Washington D.C. on that day, promising it would be "wild."
On the morning of January 6, Trump addressed a large crowd of his supporters near the White House. He repeated his claims of election fraud and urged the crowd to march to the Capitol, saying they needed to "fight like hell" to "stop the steal." This inflammatory rhetoric, combined with weeks of baseless fraud claims, had primed his supporters for action.
What followed was one of the darkest days in recent American history. Thousands of Trump supporters, many armed and some wearing tactical gear, stormed the U.S. Capitol building. They overwhelmed police lines, broke windows and doors, and forced their way into the Senate and House chambers and offices. Members of Congress, staff, and Vice President Pence had to be evacuated or hide in fear for their lives.
The riot resulted in five deaths, including a Capitol Police officer. Many more were injured, and the physical and psychological scars of the day continue to impact those who were present. The Capitol building itself, a symbol of American democracy, was desecrated and damaged.
Throughout the hours-long assault on the Capitol, Trump remained largely silent. Despite pleas from allies and members of Congress to call off his supporters, he initially seemed content to watch the chaos unfold on television. When he finally did release a video statement telling rioters to go home, he also told them "We love you. You're very special," further inflaming the situation.
The events of January 6 marked the violent culmination of Trump's refusal to accept the election results. It was a direct assault on the peaceful transfer of power that has been a hallmark of American democracy for over two centuries. The riot led to Trump's unprecedented second impeachment and further damaged his legacy in the eyes of many Americans.
The Aftermath and Trump's Final Days in Office
Impeachment and Social Media Ban
In the wake of the Capitol riot, calls for Trump's removal from office grew loud. On January 13, 2021, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for a second time, charging him with "incitement of insurrection." This made Trump the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice.
While the Senate trial would not conclude until after Trump left office, the impeachment served as a formal condemnation of his actions leading up to and on January 6. It also set the stage for a potential vote to bar Trump from holding future federal office, although this ultimately did not come to pass.
In addition to the political fallout, Trump faced unprecedented restrictions on his ability to communicate with his supporters. On January 8, Twitter permanently suspended Trump's account, citing "the risk of further incitement of violence." This was followed by similar actions from other social media platforms, effectively cutting off Trump's primary means of direct communication with the public.
These bans were a significant blow to Trump, who had relied heavily on social media, particularly Twitter, to bypass traditional media and speak directly to his base. The loss of these platforms in his final days in office left Trump increasingly isolated and unable to control the narrative around his presidency's end.
Transition of Power
Despite his continued insistence that the election had been stolen, the machinery of government moved forward with the transition of power to the Biden administration. However, Trump's refusal to concede and his promotion of baseless fraud claims made this transition unusually tense and complicated.
Trump broke with tradition by refusing to attend Biden's inauguration, instead leaving Washington on the morning of January 20. His departure from the White House as a one-term president, under the cloud of the Capitol riot and his second impeachment, was a far cry from the triumphant exit he had likely envisioned at the start of 2020.
Final Thoughts
Carol Leonnig's "I Alone Can Fix It" provides a detailed and often alarming account of Donald Trump's final year in office. The book paints a picture of a president increasingly detached from reality, consumed by personal grievances, and willing to push the boundaries of democratic norms to maintain his grip on power.
The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a central thread throughout the narrative, highlighting how Trump's mishandling of the crisis likely contributed significantly to his electoral defeat. His tendency to prioritize political optics over public health, his undermining of scientific expertise, and his reluctance to model basic precautions like mask-wearing all eroded public trust in his leadership during a time of national crisis.
The racial justice protests following George Floyd's death presented another challenge that Trump struggled to navigate effectively. His harsh rhetoric and calls for a militarized response alienated many moderate voters and deepened the country's political divisions.
Perhaps most consequentially, Trump's refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his promotion of baseless fraud claims led to the January 6 Capitol riot, a shocking assault on American democracy that will likely define his legacy for years to come.
Leonnig's reporting suggests that many of Trump's actions were driven by a combination of factors: his fear of appearing weak, his prioritization of loyalty over competence, and his belief that he alone knew best how to handle the country's challenges. This mindset, encapsulated in the book's title "I Alone Can Fix It," ultimately proved to be Trump's undoing as he faced crises that required collaboration, empathy, and a willingness to heed expert advice.
The book serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political polarization, the importance of respect for democratic institutions, and the need for leaders to prioritize the greater good over personal or political interests. It also highlights the resilience of American democracy, which bent but did not break under the strain of an unprecedented assault from within the highest office in the land.
As the United States continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Trump presidency and the events of 2020, "I Alone Can Fix It" provides valuable insights into how the country arrived at such a precarious moment in its history. It serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting democratic norms and institutions, and the ongoing need for accountable, responsible leadership in times of crisis.