Summary

In the Author’s Note, Wolff states that he chose to write this book because the Trump Presidency is unique in our country’s history. It began as an contemporaneous account of the first 100 days of the Presidency, but extended to the point when John Kelly was appointed Trump’s Chief of Staff, as this seemed like a natural turning point. Wolff also notes that, because of the administration’s chaotic relationship with the press, he had frequent, informal contact with numerous administration officials whose opinions and depictions of events are depicted in later chapters.

The Prologue describes a dinner between former Fox News head Roger Ailes and Trump adviser Steve Bannon, shortly after the 2016 election. Ailes, though a supporter and personal friend of Trump, is concerned that he lacks a coherent ideology or strategy. Bannon attempted to reassure Ailes, admitting that Trump...