Chapter 14, the first chapter of “Part II: Retribution”, setting the tone for an absolute moral irony in the MAGA movement. Trump is out to get his revenge. He has more power, more anger and more ego to please. There is nothing that could stop his desire for revenge. The authors didn’t hold back and started heavy from the start, “Stormy Daniels” the name that got my attention. I had previously heard about it on the news, something about a hush money trial. Searching for some details, I came across this NBC news article about Stormy Daniels testimony against Trump under oath. Among many things, she also testified that Trump told her, “You remind me of my daughter”, a disgusting statement from a man who is very clear about his intentions with the lady after the dinner. But that is just the beginning, I do appreciate the author’s humor in bringing this up because following this is the administrations relentless attack on free speech.

The party that rallied around free speech knew more about its suppression than protection. From going after prosecutors, universities, law firms, anchors etc. to individuals and their own party members. There is no one Trump is willing to spare and why should he, Trump is on a roll and there is nothing to stop him. He willed and his minions found a way to appease his desire. I couldn’t help but wonder, does he think about the consequences of his action after he has left office? He is going after everyone and anyone who criticized him. For now, his enemies have conceded to his demands, but will they forget? Just like he didn’t, will there be retribution for his retribution?

To be confident or to be delusional? That’s the question I thought reading chapter 15. During Trump’s fraud trial in New York, he signed a Coke bottle and gave it to Letitia James as a souvenir. Is this what people call star power? The confidence or delusion of one’s stardom is something I find quite admirable. If only we could have half as much confidence, life would be so different. This reminded me of his mugshot. Even though I don’t like him, I can’t hate the picture!

What amazed me further was to know that Trump truly knows when to shut up, but that may usually require a courtroom, pleading the fifth. The man has the focus of a “3-year-old” but a survival instinct of a Cobra.

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How would Trump be if he was loved by his father? This is a question in the minds of many who observe his antics. In an interview posted by PBS, Donald Trump’s estranged niece Mary Trump detailed his childhood. Regarding Trump’s father, Fred Trump, she stated “And not only did he not fill the void, but he was also a very—he was very impatient with children; he had no use for them”. According to Mary, Fred Trump lived on the policy of absolute positivity, “everything is great”, no room for any other emotion. I do see that in Trump too. He has this crazy belief that everything will turn out fine. Which it has for him to a certain degree. She further stated, “You know, I wasn’t—say, three or four years after my dad died, nobody in my family reached out to me.” This reminded me of a clip I watched of Trump’s interview with Theo Von where he was discussing drugs. Republicans portrayed that as Trump’s innocence, the reason Trump never drank was because of his brother’s alcohol addiction. It comes off as very loving and being traumatized by the event of his brother’s death. However, the interview shows a very different picture of relationships inside the Trump household.

Chapter 17 really brings out Trump’s ADHD style of leading where aides and cabinet members would crowd around Trump, for fear of missing out on any opportunity to influence Trump while he is indulging in “art of the deal” style negotiations.

One thing that I wanted to research was the claim that Iran tried to assassinate DONALD J. TRUMP during his campaign. Here are the facts that I came across. There are multiple news sources saying that Iran had planted people to kill Trump, however, in an interview with NBC News, Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran never plotted to assassinate Donald Trump. Upon further questioning by Holt, he stated that, as far as he knows, there was never a plot to kill Trump. Maybe I am biased, but I find it more plausible that it’s Israel who is pulling the strings on these assassination attempts on trump than Iran. Israel is the only nation that stands to tremendously benefit from a diminished American Influence. Netanyahu drools over the idea of “Greater Israel”. He has never seen a Muslim he didn’t want to kill. This feels right out of Mossad’s playbook. I mean, let’s look at recent assassination attempt of Trump.

So, I find it hard to accept the narrative that comes on the mainstream media that it’s Iran that is a threat to American security and not Israel.

Shifting to a much lighter note, let’s discuss a little about WH Press Secretary, Karoline-with-K. She enamored Trump with her unapologetic defense for him. In an interview, referring to Karoline-with-K, Trump said, “Oh boy, those lips, Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba. The beautiful little face. Ba, ba, ba. Right?” Karoline-with-K and her relentless pursuit to defend anything about Trump is a spectacle. The cross necklace or the performative prayers before a press briefing, nothing hinders her gaslighting of truth to the American public. Well Karoline-with-K will be resigning from her role as WH Press Secretary at the end of August 2026. She is going ba, ba, ba, bye!

While reading Chapter 18, I highlighted a few points for discussion about Iran, the nuclear talk etc., but there is so much to say that I don’t want to say anything. Like the situation in Iran is being felt in every household across the country, the matter is still worsening by the day. US is losing badly. The soldiers are not committed to fighting this war. Multiple US sailors have attempted to jump overboard on USS Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier that is deployed to the Middle East amidst the Iran war. Regarding the nuclear issues, I find it ironic that US is always talking about “Iran having nuclear weapons is a threat to world peace” as if, US is not the only nation in the world that used the nuclear weapon on Hiroshima & Nagasaki August 1945. Shouldn’t it be then that the US should not have a nuclear weapon?

In Chapter 19, under the banner of free speech, Trump and Co, are policing speech. The whole saga can be summarized in a very interesting response by Gary Peters to Vance on the discussion about politicizing history, “you are coming here threatening to cut off funding to the Smithsonian if we don’t paint the picture you want. That’s politicizing it”. I don’t think there is any better response to the administration’s effort to politicize every single issue. I will say though, Trump and Co, do not have a free-speech issue, they have an education issue or lack thereof.

Chapter 20 had me thinking, how little influence does Melania have as a First Lady. Her mention in this book is so succinct and only limited to aesthetic related issues. Natalie Harp could beat her to it. I understand the book is about Trump, but shouldn’t there be a bit more involvement in issues considering she is the First Lady.

Things are about to go down! Chapter 21, the reason I purchased this book did not disappoint. And I know the next book I will be reading and reviewing (stay tuned). The big divorce between Elon and Trump that almost everyone and their uncle saw coming, finally happened! Playing the role of bitter EX-WIFE, Elon posted on X and later deleted.

The chapter is worth the read. From Bondi totally botching the initial release to the administration having secret meetings in the situation room to discuss the Epstein Files and Wall Street Journal releasing Trump’s Birthday letter to Epstein. Things just wouldn’t rest. Had they followed Vance’s advice, they wouldn’t have to resort to starting Iran war to divert the public from Epstein (that’s the word on the street- I didn’t make it up).

Bondi on her part, after a job-well-done, appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on February 11, 2026 and reminded the House Committee as I quote from the transcript, “because Donald Trump, the Dow, the Dow right now is over. The Dow is over 50,000. I don’t know why you’re laughing. You’re a great stock trader. As I hear, Raskin, the Dow is over 50,000 right now. the S&P had almost 7000 and the Nasdaq smashing records, Americans 401s and retirement savings are booming. That’s what we should be talking about.”

The case didn’t close on Epstein, but it certainly did for Pam Bondi who was fired “by the best President in US history, Donald Trump” (her words not mine) on April 2, 2026.

I think this is just the right climax for part 2 “Retribution”. There is no fun for me to entertain Trump’s desire to bust Powell’s balls as he wasn’t getting what he wanted from him. Powell with his purple tie was not part of the cult and that itself was a problem!

I hope you enjoyed this discussion. What stood out for you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. See you in the next one, but as of today, when you look at your grocery bill, I want you to know that “The DOW, the DOW is 53,839.99”.

I don’t think there is another way to describe it.

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Having read through the first part “WHIRLWIND” I questioned the dramatic flair for some of the events. It does make it easy to read but also makes it more fictional. However, as I read through, I couldn’t help but admit, it really is that dramatic! I have presented a breakdown of few chapters from the first part of the book that really stood out for me along with some of my own research. Below is a mix of my own research prompted by my own research.

From selecting cabinet members by their on-screen presence to rewarding cult loyalties, Merit quietly left the room.

The chronicles of our TV president could be hilarious, if it wasn’t for the fact that unlike TV, real world has consequences and it’s average Americans who will bear the cost.

So, without further delay, let’s get down to business.

“Peace on Earth”- that was Trump’s 2026 New Year’s resolution. This was the only thing that I could relate with Trump. Because just like, most normal people, Trump has failed to meet his new year goals. However, unlike us normal people, his failure resulted in bombing of a girl’s school in Iran, death of unidentified number of US soldiers, depletion of our savings and murder of US citizens by the hands of ICE.

In the prologue, during Trump’s new year’s auction, a portrait of Jesus Christ done by a speed artist Vanessa Horabuena was reportedly sold for $2.75 million to an unnamed woman. What always fascinates me about Christianity is the ever- changing race of Jesus Christ, but that research is for another day.

Chapter 1 starts with the fireside chat between Trump and Biden as part of WH tradition to show goodwill between the administrations. The chat lasted 2 hours. This is the part where I felt the writers took some dramatic freedom, phrases such as “Biden Sank into Disbelief etc.” like how do you know? I couldn’t imagine Biden speaking for 2 hours, I mean we saw how he was during the presidency.

Chapter 2 would have been funny if it was in a movie; it’s tragic because it’s not! Casting the cabinet members based on their stardom is hypocritical of an administration who rebuked DEI practices.

Currently, Bobby the celebrity, who is responsible to lead the department of Health and Human Services, will now be starring in a new cooking show to teach Americans how to cook healthy food and Tulsi, the wannabe star resigned on June 30^th, 2026.

Most of chapter 2 was spent shaking my head, however, during the casting (I can’t even say hiring because the word gives dignity to a process which wasn’t followed) of Low Testosterone Pete, apart from his looks, Trump admired his absolute defense of three American soldiers, Clint Lorance, Mathew Golsteyn and Eddie Gallagher, who committed war crimes during Iraq and Afghanistan war.

Clint Lorance, who was serving 19 years in prison, for murdering two unarmed Afghan Civilians and commanding his platoon members to indiscriminately shoot at civilians to make them “afraid of us”.

Eddie Gallagher decided that the best way for democracy and freedom of women was to reportedly shoot Iraqi school girls and elderly. If that wasn’t enough, he is reported to have stabbed a wounded teenager multiple times and posed with his mutilated corpse. He was only demoted a rank which Trump restored during his first presidency.

And Mathew Golsteyn, murdered an Afghan man, who he suspected to be a bomb maker. However, his claims were not substantiated. I guess birds of the same feather flock together. Violent-low-testosterone-Pete with his band of criminals fighting hard to make the ultimate mockery of America.

Reading this along with the pardon of all 1500 J6ers including the ones who beat up cops and committed crimes, was just a glimpse “Pure Trump” as Steven Bannon told an associate.

Chapter 3, Should have been titled, the fifty shades of Stephen Miller, I wonder, what it’s like to be a man who has no loyalties. I wonder what his end game is, I mean, you can’t even say he is loyal to Trump, if he goes behind his back and uses his name to get what he wants, as the book alleges.

“You are all that matters to me” Natalie Harp (AKA Human Printer) to Trump, in one of her many letters. If chapter 2 made me angry, this one phrase in chapter 3 just made me vomit. No wonder Melania has a separate bedroom - who wants to find letters like these. Are they a thing? I searched online and came across this fun post about Harp’s actual role. I WILL GO AND TOUCH GRASS!

What really gets me in chapter 4, who is the leak? On page 36, during Keith Kellogg’s presentation for Trump’s historic peace deal with Russia and Ukraine, it’s all people from his close circle, is it one of them? Sometimes I suspect, maybe it’s JD Vance, trying to save his career, somehow! But who knows. I wonder if we will ever find out!

Up until I read Chapter 5, I always thought Elon’s pivot towards right was due to ideological reasons, but it’s apparent that’s not the case; it’s just EGO. The feud between Biden and Musk, not only stemmed from not being invited to White House EV summit but also, on foreign policy and immigration issues. Biden slammed Musk to be working illegally when he moved to US, which is ironic considering Elon’s stance against the immigrants. The initial $2 trillion target to save wasteful spending set by Elon Musk. Only $215 Billion came to fruition; this too is an unverified claim made by DOGE. Whether the cuts were useful and provided any benefits to the citizens, is still a “head scratching” question experts are looking to answer. However, the disastrous effect of dismantling USAID, firing federal employees and cutting contracts without due diligence is hard to ignore, with some agencies rehiring key employees to retain functionality.

Chapter 8 really reminded me why I voted and regret voting for Trump. As Trump has always been anti-war, and because Biden and Harris, practically did nothing to pressure Bibi, to stop the holocaust Israel was committing in Gaza which has now spread to the West Bank. I truly felt trump would be the one to stop the war. However, little did I know, not only will Bibi win him over by bringing him a list of countries that congratulated Biden on his 2020 win before him but also that Trump has his own plans to rebuild Gaza Strip. That AI video of Trump Towers in Gaza was horrendous and Tone Deaf. But that’s Trump!

Regarding Bibi’s pressure campaign for Iran, I can’t even discuss this because we have seen what an utter failure it has been for United States and the situation is still unfolding. Sometimes it’s like watching the US empire burn down in slow motion.

Chapter 9 just gave me a newfound appreciation for my bosses. Imagine having a boss like Elon, No thank you! But this chapter highlights another cultural issue, I would call it, the “hospitality crisis” I was baffled by how Vance and Trump humiliated Zelensky. My issue is not with the administration (I have zero expectations from them), as an American, treating a state guest like that was humiliating to watch. And the fact that so many people cheered on this savagery added to that humiliation. In many cultures around the world, guests are treated with respect, even if your mortal enemy comes to your door, you guarantee their safety, because one’s hospitality is a clear indication of a person’s moral values. The fact that it was lost to most Americans was an embarrassing moment for the nation.

“There were now two types of people in the WH: those who loved the Tariffs and those who lost the will to fight,” Chapter 10 is such a good reminder of how good it is to be from the donor class. Trump’s Tariffs have businesses increase their selling prices to make up for the cost of tariffs and then receive refunds for those Tariffs. Unlike the promises, American people have not gained any major-life-changing advantage from the tariffs, however, the refund of tariffs has put a $120 billion budget deficit.

They see us as pigs- that’s what I thought reading chapter 12. “We should retain the smart ones and get rid of the bad ones,” this was Trump’s solution in response to cutting the VA workforce. How do you measure the smart ones from the bad ones? Considering Elon’s pressure on federal secretaries to fire their employees, with little regard to consequences of such indiscriminate firing. How does one determine the good from the bad in a short amount of time?

Chapter 13 ended on a hilarious note. “Who won” was Trump’s response when he heard about the fight between Musk and Bessent. This dude couldn’t be more non-serious. I couldn’t help but chuckle, and perhaps that is what I needed to reenergize for all the anger that will happen after I read further.

So far, I have really enjoyed reading this book. Subscribe to follow future book club discussions. How do you like the current discussion format? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

I have more than a hundred of books collecting dust. I had started few in anticipation for them to be part of the first book club discussion or review (I haven’t decided on that yet). It’s important to point out that currently, I haven’t read the book beyond the acknowledgements on the first few pages.

So why did I ignore all the other books to start with this one? It’s not like I am any less curious about them, but this just feels right or should I say relevant to the environment.

I first heard about Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump in a segment of Breaking Points where they discussed that part of the book contained a leak of a meeting in situation room of the white house where Trump was discussing about the release of the Epstein files.

Donald J. Trump, who got my life’s first ever vote and first ever voting regret. It’s only right that I should start this journey of my first ever book club, reading the inside news about the man who got my first ever vote and earned my first ever voting regret. (Is this a form of self sabotage- I don’t know)

Also, since I pre-ordered it, it wasn’t in the shelf and right Infront of me.

Both things are true at the same time.

As mentioned earlier, beyond the acknowledgement pages, I haven’t read the book. I have however, listened to some of the interviews done by the authors, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan as part of the book’s media run. Both are part of Trump’s Fake Media. However, Quick Wikipedia read gives me a clear idea that they truly have been a thorn on Trump’s drear.

Among the interviews I watched, Tim Dillon’s interview stood out. It was less about the interview itself but his summary of the interview, where he comically states, that he didn’t feel like he learned anything new beyond what we already know. It’s important to know that he hasn’t read the book at the time of the interview.

So, my starting expectations are neutral. It could be what Tim Dillon assumed as a summary of everything we know or it could be revelatory for a normal person, unaware of the inner workings of the administration. Of course, the writers will not reveal everything during interviews otherwise who will buy the book. So, I will read with a neutral open mind.

How do we plan to go about this in our book club?

I don’t know.

I have ideas but not sure about their execution, since I have zero audience. I will experiment and see what flows my boat as I understand I will be talking to myself and it’s an old habit that I don’t wish to change.

So, buckle up, it about to get Bumpy? The Biggest Bump anyone has ever seen (Donald Trump Voice)- This is sarcasm!