New book claims Trump expanded executive power and corruption

A new book by Pulitzer Prize winning author Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, titled "Regime Change," argues that Donald Trump has permanently altered the US presidency by vastly expanding executive power and normalising corruption. The book, which the president has dismissed as fake news, contends that Trump's second term represents a fundamental shift in American governance, not a typical transfer of power.

In an interview with the BBC, Haberman explained that she and Swan began working on the book early in Trump's second term in 2025. They concluded that what they were witnessing was not a standard US presidency, even compared to Trump's first term, but a massive escalation in executive power. She described it as a form of regime change within the United States, something journalists are unused to covering.

Haberman said that Trump's shamelessness and his iron grip on the Republican party have made the changes potentially irreversible. She noted that while the expansion of executive power has been a gradual trend over decades, Trump has thrown accelerant on it. She questioned whether any future Democratic president would willingly give up the powers Trump has seized, pointing out that Joe Biden attempted some restraint and was perceived as weak.

The discussion also featured historian Dame Mary Beard, who drew a contrast between Trump's approach and that of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. She noted that Trump came into office with a clear plan, issuing executive orders daily, whereas Starmer has done little. However, she cautioned that some of Trump's orders might be window dressing, and the real question is how deep the changes go.

Beard highlighted a different concern: the normalisation of corruption. She pointed to Trump enriching friends and family through meme coins and hotels, and argued that US foreign policy has become a branch of personal enrichment. She said this corruption is more worrying than the imperial presidency itself.

The conversation also touched on whether Trump's changes will be permanent. One view expressed was that if his presidency fails on economic grounds or due to foreign policy setbacks, the electorate may pivot. The midterm elections could provide a check if Republicans lose control of Congress. The panel noted that America has a history of adaptability, and that a more sane, less corrupt Republican or a Democrat like Bill Clinton could emerge to reform the system.

Overall, the book and the analysis suggest that Trump has fundamentally changed the presidency, but the long-term impact remains uncertain. The coming midterms and the success or failure of his policies will determine whether the changes stick or are reversed.