A new book by experienced White House reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan is getting attention for its claims about President Donald Trump’s personal routines and life in the White House during his second term.
The book, called “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” shares behind-the-scenes stories about the president’s daily habits, design choices, and interactions in the White House. The authors rely on accounts from staff and others familiar with the residence, but these claims have not been independently confirmed.
Excerpts from the book say that Trump often snacked late at night, enjoying potato chips, ice cream, and takeout. The book says staff regularly cleaned up snack wrappers and containers from his rooms. At one point, they even checked the trash after worries that valuable White House silverware might have been thrown out by mistake.
The book also says Trump preferred carpeted bathroom floors instead of regular bath mats. The authors say that staff often replaced sections of the carpet when they got damp to prevent moisture damage.
The book also discusses Donald and Melania Trump’s living arrangements, noting that they had separate bedrooms in the White House. It claims Trump often redecorated his rooms by moving furniture and decorations from shared spaces, which sometimes led to differences in taste between him and the first lady.
The authors also mention earlier renovation projects, like changes to the Rose Garden and Oval Office, and plans for a new White House ballroom. The book describes Trump as very involved in decorating, even arranging decorations in the Oval Office himself.
At the time of publication, the White House had not commented on the specific claims in the book excerpts.
Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan are well-known journalists who cover U.S. presidential politics and the White House. Books by experienced political reporters often use interviews, official records, and anonymous sources to give a look behind the scenes of presidential administrations. These books often spark public debate, but some claims may be disputed and should be considered carefully until they are confirmed.