Siege Summary

What happens when a leader governs with instinct, chaos, and an unyielding belief in their own persona? Siege offers a behind-the-scenes look at Donald Trump's turbulent presidency and the web of controversies surrounding it.

1. A White House in Chaos and Paranoia

Trump's presidency began against a backdrop of investigation and suspicion. The Mueller probe into Russian interference meant the White House operated more like a target of investigation than the nation's seat of power. Staff were advised to keep their distance from potentially incriminating conversations, reflecting an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. Trump himself often demanded reassurance from legal advisors that he wasn’t directly in Mueller’s crosshairs, though privately, most believed he was.

This environment affected interpersonal relationships in the White House as well. Trump repeatedly insulted and ridiculed his staff, especially targeting their physical appearances when he was dissatisfied with their performance. The investigation magnified these internal tensions, as team members feared being implicated by association. Trump’s suspicion of even his closest allies, including son-in-law Jared Kushner, highlighted his mistrust of those around him.

This chaotic courtroom-like setting felt less like a functional presidency and more like a medieval fiefdom overshadowed by vendettas and betrayal. The parallels to Nixon-era impeachment fears became a dominant theme.

Examples

• White House staff avoided key meetings to not witness incriminating discussions.
• Trump mocked team members' insecurities, such as ridiculing those with mustaches.
• He accused Jared Kushner of exploiting his role for personal financial gain.

2. Steve Bannon’s Influence Even After His Exit

Steve Bannon may have been fired in 2017, but he retained significant sway over Trump. From his self-styled “Embassy” in Washington, Bannon ensured his voice was heard by using the media to criticize Trump's decisions and to remind him of his campaign promises. Of particular concern to Bannon was Trump’s perceived wavering on hardline immigration policies like building the border wall.

Despite being sidelined, Bannon cleverly maintained indirect access to the president. Trump respected Bannon as a political tactician, and media critiques from him made their way back to the president through Fox News or radio. These criticisms influenced Trump to appoint individuals aligned with Bannon’s right-wing ideology, such as Mike Pompeo and John Bolton.

However, Bannon grew disillusioned, questioning whether Trump could still be the figurehead of his populist "America First" movement. As Trump tempered certain radical stances under pressure from Kushner and Ivanka, Bannon's frustration with the administration deepened.

Examples

• Through public interviews, Bannon criticized Kushner’s “soft” influence on Trump.
• Bannon pressured Trump indirectly, leading to hardline figures like John Bolton gaining positions of power.
• He referred to Trump's lack of urgency on immigration policies as a betrayal of his electorate.

3. The Stark Divide Between Mueller and Trump

Robert Mueller represented the antithesis of Donald Trump – decorum versus brashness, rules versus bending them. Mueller's old-school Republican demeanor stood in contrast to Trump’s flamboyant, unorthodox style. This cultural gulf intensified the public drama of the investigation.

Mueller, a respected veteran and former FBI chief, symbolized establishment values. Trump, however, played the role of the outsider, railing against “elitists” like Mueller. This dynamic enabled Trump to rally his base against the investigation by painting it as a vendetta by the political class against their chosen champion.

Trump hired Rudy Giuliani as his attack dog, using him to shift focus to tangential “achievements” and launch personal attacks on critics. Giuliani’s theatrics diverted attention from Mueller, buying time for Trump to avoid legal jeopardy. Many saw this defense strategy as a staggeringly effective gamble.

Examples

• Giuliani’s televised deflections contrasted with Mueller’s disciplined silence.
• Trump leveraged his image as a victim of an “elitist witch hunt.”
• Critics argued that Mueller’s decision not to compel Trump’s testimony weakened the report.

4. Trump’s Troubled Relationships With Women and Melania

Trump’s candid “grab them by the pussy” remark and multiple accusations of misconduct placed his treatment of women under scrutiny. The ##MeToo movement surfaced shortly after his inauguration, with staff fearing dozens of women could come forward with accusations against him. This led to unease among his inner circle.

Meanwhile, Trump’s marriage to Melania appeared contentious. Melania and their son Barron lived apart from the president, and she was candid about feeling unwelcome in the White House. Publicly, Melania maintained composure even amid scandals, such as news of Trump’s alleged affair with Stormy Daniels. Some of her choices, like wearing a controversial jacket to a migrant shelter, raised eyebrows and sparked debates about her view of her role.

The combination of personal allegations and a strained marriage painted a complex image of Trump’s life outside of politics and increased media scrutiny on his behavior.

Examples

• ##MeToo brought forward 25 women with serious claims of misconduct.
• Melania’s “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?” jacket fueled speculation about her emotional state.
• Trump dismissed questions about his wife’s opinions, seeing her as irrelevant.

5. Kushner’s Shift Toward Diplomacy

Jared Kushner’s growing role guided foreign relations toward diplomacy over hostility. Once a Democrat with ties to Hillary Clinton, Kushner surprisingly became a key player in Trump’s strategy, advocating for less confrontational engagement.

Under Kushner’s counsel, international relations saw unexpected detours. One key instance came in Trump’s highly publicized Singapore meeting with Kim Jong-un. Kushner’s “Let’s not break anything” philosophy steered the administration to prioritize dialogue over threats. Critics wondered, however, if these grand gestures yielded tangible results.

This path often clashed with Bannon's America-centric philosophy, causing frustrations within Trump’s team. Nevertheless, Kushner was instrumental in soft power moves, like seeking peace with North Korea.

Examples

• Kushner’s mentorship with Henry Kissinger clarified his diplomatic approach.
• The Singapore summit marked an astonishing reversal of U.S.-North Korea hostility.
• Bannon resented Kushner’s efforts to mellow Trump’s aggressive “America First” stance.

6. The Fallout From Helsinki

In July 2018, Trump faced backlash after his private meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. Emerging from the discussion, Trump’s defeated demeanor contrasted sharply with Putin’s confidence, sparking concerns of coercion or manipulation.

Trump’s refusal to condemn Russia regarding election interference added to the uproar. Many speculated that Putin might hold compromising information about Trump. Comparisons to Cold War-era diplomacy painted the president as weak against Russian interests.

Domestically, this led to widespread anger. Critics questioned Trump’s motivations, suggesting his private meeting with Putin endangered U.S. security interests.

Examples

• The press conference showcased Trump denying Russian meddling, defying U.S. intelligence conclusions.
• Speculation swirled about Trump’s peculiar submissiveness to Putin.
• Putin offered token collaboration on Mueller’s investigation, which Trump seemingly agreed to.

7. The Midterms: A Test of Popular Support

The 2018 midterms were a wake-up call for Trump’s ability to energize voters. Democrats regained control of the House, claiming swing states through a well-organized, grassroots campaign. Republican reliance on expensive media ads fell flat.

Trump’s behavior on election night angered allies like Bannon. The president held a lavish barbecue rather than confront the results head-on. This gave detractors ammunition to question his commitment to his anti-elitist promises.

Though Trump boasted about victories, the loss of the House symbolized weakened momentum that emboldened his adversaries for future battles.

Examples

• Democrats succeeded in flipping critical swing districts.
• Bannon fumed over Trump’s election-night “swamp-like” donor event.
• Polls indicated decreased enthusiasm among Republicans.

8. Mueller’s Climactic Anticlimax

The Mueller report, anticipated as Trump’s downfall, proved underwhelming. Though evidence of Russian interference emerged, the investigation stopped short of proving conspiracy between Trump and foreign actors.

Many believed Mueller could have gone further. His decision not to subpoena Trump disappointed critics who had counted on the report to discredit his presidency. Mueller’s conservative interpretation, prioritizing democratic optics, was interpreted as a lost opportunity.

Trump seized on this as vindication. He proclaimed his victory loudly, interpreting the lack of concrete conclusions as definitive proof of innocence.

Examples

• Mueller refrained from accusing Trump of conspiracy despite public expectations.
• Trump’s opponents criticized Mueller’s hesitance to compel testimony.
• Jubilant, Trump praised himself as having “beaten” the establishment once again.

9. A Presidency That Survived Against the Odds

Between infighting, legal threats, and media scandals, Trump managed to retain his presidency. His unconventional approach, from dismissing advisors to challenging diplomatic norms, created constant turbulence.

However, his resilience as a political figure frustrated adversaries and highlighted his ability to mold public perception. Trump defied predictions of collapse repeatedly, leaving even critics to wonder whether his survival stemmed from strategy or pure audacity.

Ultimately, his presidency in these years was defined by volatility – but it endured.

Examples

• Trump weathered fallout from scandals like Helsinki and Stormy Daniels.
• Despite losing the House in the midterms, Trump rallied to avoid significant defeats.
• Instead of crumbling under Mueller’s investigation, Trump turned it into fodder for his base.

Takeaways

1. Adaptability can be a strength, but chaos breeds mistrust—strengthening stability and clarity can improve any leadership dynamic.
2. Perception matters in public narrative. Controlling the media narrative, as Trump often did, influences how people perceive events.
3. Even during contentious situations, focusing on diplomacy and listening to varied perspectives might defuse conflicts and build long-term results.