Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump
What it's about
Maggie Haberman of The New York Times and Jonathan Swan, who have covered Donald Trump more closely than almost anyone, chronicle the first year of his second presidency. They describe a term freed from the constraints of the first, with advisers who no longer say no, and how the administration used its power.
Why it's worth reading
It spent eight weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026. It's a closely reported account of a presidency still unfolding.
You'll love it if you liked
Fear: Trump in the White House, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership or The Best and the Brightest
Good to know
It's contemporary journalism about events readers will see very differently depending on their politics. It covers only the first year.
Quick answers
Is Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump worth reading?
Yes. It spent eight weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026. It ranks #389 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 80.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump about?
Maggie Haberman of The New York Times and Jonathan Swan, who have covered Donald Trump more closely than almost anyone, chronicle the first year of his second presidency. They describe a term freed from the constraints of the first, with advisers who no longer say no, and how the administration used its power.
How long does it take to read Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump?
About 12 hours (496 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump?
If you liked it, try Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey or The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam.
By the numbers
- Readers84 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller56 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz41 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
#1 New York Times bestseller (8 weeks at #1).
Where it ranks
- #9 of the 44 politics books we rank
- #74 of the 481 new books we rank
- #389 of the 2,819 books we rank
Bestseller
- #1 New York Times bestseller (8 weeks at #1)
- 16 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2026
Reads as
True story
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