Book SummaryConfidence Man, by Maggie Haberman

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Confidence Man

In Confidence Man, New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman explores Donald Trump’s public life and career. A longtime reporter on Donald Trump (and winner of a Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of his administration), Haberman explores the people, experiences, and environments that shaped the singular personality that would define his presidency. In this guide, we’ll explore:

• Trump’s early career as a New York City real estate developer
• His rise in the 1980s to become a public symbol of capitalist success and business savvy
• His second act as a right-wing firebrand and promoter of conspiracy theories
• His victory in the 2016 presidential election and controversial presidency

Throughout this guide, we’ll supplement Haberman’s account with commentary from outside sources to both support her...

Confidence Man Summary Part 1: Trump’s Early Years, 1946-1983

To understand how Trump came to be the unique personality that he is, Haberman writes that we need to understand his formative years. In this section, we’ll explore:

• How his family environment shaped Trump’s personality, outlook, and values
• How the New York City of his youth and early career left an indelible stamp on Trump
• Trump’s crucial early business and political connections

Life in the Trump Family

Trump was born in 1946 to parents Fred and Mary Trump. His father had founded the Trump Organization, the family company that built a modest real estate empire primarily based on middle-class housing in the outer New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. Haberman notes that the Trump family was marked by harshness, emotional distance, and a lack of empathy. Fred instilled in his children a competitive, win-at-all-costs mentality, fostering rivalry among them.

(Shortform note: Fred Trump’s parenting methods may have been an example of what some early childhood experts call “conditional parenting.” In Unconditional Parenting, author and lecturer Alfie Kohn writes that traditional concepts of...

Confidence Man Summary Part 2: Trump as Business Tycoon, 1983-2009

Having established Trump’s rise to public prominence in the New York City real estate development world in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Haberman then details his life in the 1980s and 1990s, focusing on:

• The solidification of Trump’s public image as a symbol of capitalist success—and excess
• How his stereotyped views on race and crime were forged in the crucible of 1980s New York City
• His financial troubles in the late 1980s and early 1990s
• His reemergence in the 2000s as a reality television star hosting The Apprentice

The Symbol of Success

In the 1980s, Donald Trump continued to actively shape his public image, presenting himself as a flamboyant, sexually adventurous, and brilliant self-made real estate tycoon. This image, writes Haberman, resonated with the public, transforming Trump into a national symbol of wealth and opulence.

(Shortform note: During this time, not everyone agreed that Trump’s kind of success was something to admire or emulate. In her contemporaneous diary, former First Lady Barbara Bush—and mother of future Trump political rival Jeb Bush—expressed disdain for Trump, referring to him as [the ultimate symbol of 1980s greed and...

Confidence Man Summary Part 3: Emerging on the Political Scene, 2009-2016

Having traced the rise, fall, and resurgence of Donald Trump from the 1980s through the 2000s, Haberman charts his emergence as a political force during the presidency of Barack Obama. In this section, we’ll explore:

• His embrace of social media and his use of it to spread the “birther” conspiracy against Obama
• The launch of his 2016 presidential campaign and his masterful harnessing of media attention to overwhelm his rivals for the Republican nomination
• His victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election

Spreading the “Birther” Conspiracy

In 2009, writes Haberman, Trump joined Twitter with the handle @realDonaldTrump. He quickly embraced the platform, demonstrating a talent for inciting outrage and grabbing attention with provocative stunts. In 2011, Trump became the nation's leading proponent of the "birther" conspiracy theory, alleging that President Barack Obama (the nation’s first Black president) was born outside the US and, therefore, ineligible to serve as president. Haberman writes that Trump’s hyping of the conspiracy theory, while demonstrably false and slanderous, nevertheless appealed deeply to the Republican Party’s cultural...

Confidence Man Summary Part 4: In the White House, 2017-2021

Haberman next explores the policy fights, interpersonal dramas, and major news events that defined the Trump administration. In this final section, we’ll examine:

• Trump’s chaotic leadership style in office
• His defiance of traditional political norms and ethics as president
• His administration’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic
• His defeat in the 2020 presidential election—and his refusal to accept the election’s results

A Chaotic Leadership Style

Haberman notes that Donald Trump's presidency was characterized by factional rivalries within his administration, pitting figures like the populist right-wing ideologue Steve Bannon against dealmakers and personal associates like Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. Haberman writes that, in office, Trump seemed to thrive on the chaos and rivalry among his subordinates.

(Shortform note: Although Haberman cites the factionalism and rivalries within the Trump White House as a source of chaos and inefficiency, other scholars have noted that having dissenting voices has been a source of strength for other administrations. In _[Team of...

Shortform Exercise: Reflect on Trump’s Life and Career

Think about the life and career of Donald Trump, the appeal and power of celebrity, and the potential challenge to democracy represented by his rise.

What role do you think the media play in shaping public perceptions of political figures? How do you think you as a media consumer can more critically evaluate the media you consume?