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NYT Reporter Admits: Trump’s ‘Delusional’ Foes Buried Him—And Were Wrong
NY Times Reporter Says Trump Has "Napoleonic" Ambition and Incredible Political Survival Skills
What Happened?
New York Times reporter Jonathan Swan recently gave an interview to "60 Minutes Australia" where he shared some surprising thoughts about President Donald Trump. Swan, along with his colleague Maggie Haberman, just released a new book called "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump."
During the interview, Swan made several important points that challenge how many journalists and politicians view Trump.
Key Points from the Interview
1. Trump’s Political "Obituary" Has Been Written Many Times — And It’s Always Been Wrong
Swan’s exact words: "I think Donald Trump’s obituary has been written so many times — his political obituary — by so many people. And by this point, if you don’t have some humility around that, I think, you know, you’re operating in a fairly delusional way."
What this means in simple terms:
Reporters and experts have repeatedly predicted Trump’s political career was over. They were wrong every time. Swan says journalists should be humble and admit they don’t understand Trump’s staying power.
2. Trump Has Unique Advantages Right Now
Swan listed several reasons why Trump is in a strong position:
- Wealth: His family has made a lot of money; he’s wealthier than ever
- Legal Protection: The Supreme Court granted him immunity for official acts
- Political Math: Even if Democrats win the House, they can’t remove him (no prospect of conviction in Senate)
- Time: He still has two and a half years left as "the most powerful man on the planet"
- No Signs of Slowing Down: He has "no intention of receding at all"
3. The "Napoleonic" Comparison
Swan used the word "Napoleonic" to describe Trump’s ambition. Here’s what he meant:
"I think it’s also that he wants to be a sort of Napoleonic … you know, the person who only needs to be known by one name, who is the defining figure of our age."
In plain English:
Trump doesn’t compare himself to other U.S. presidents like Eisenhower or Clinton. He compares himself to world-changing historical figures like Napoleon — leaders who defined their entire era and are known by just one name.
The Remarkable White House Document Story
One of the most striking moments in the interview was Swan’s description of a meeting at the White House.
What Happened:
- Trump met with Swan and Haberman
- He showed them a document he claimed was written by a historian
- The document made extraordinary claims
What the Document Said:
- Opening line: "Donald Trump is the most powerful man who’s ever existed, ever lived on the planet, by far"
- Comparison list: It ranked Trump above these historical figures:
- Stalin
- Mao
- Hitler
- Napoleon
- Attila the Hun
- Genghis Khan
- The Caesars
- Alexander the Great
- Tamerlane
- Focus: Pure power — nothing about morality, just "raw power"
Swan’s Takeaway:
"The premise of the document … was that Trump is the most powerful leader in history and is willing to use power in a way no previous president has done within their lifetime."
[!IMPORTANT]
Key Insight: This document wasn’t about whether Trump is good or bad. It was about power — how much he has and how willing he is to use it. Swan says this matches exactly what they found researching their book.
What Might Trump Do Next?
When asked about Trump’s next moves, Swan mentioned:
- Foreign Policy Focus: Cuba is the "most obvious" target
- Regime Change: The administration has been "looking at potential regime change in Cuba"
- Humility: Swan cautioned: "It’s a big world out there, and we don’t want to start being pundits and prognosticating."
White House Response
The White House pushed back on Swan’s characterization.
Spokeswoman Olivia Wales said:
"President Trump is fighting every day to deliver the strong, safe, and prosperous country that we all deserve. The only legacy President Trump is concerned with is making America greater than ever before."
Translation: The White House says Trump cares about results for Americans, not historical comparisons or personal legacy.
Why This Matters: A Simple Breakdown
| What People Thought | What Swan Says Is Reality |
|---|---|
| Trump’s political career is over | He has "incredible survival capacities" and "regenerates himself" |
| Democrats can check him if they win House | "They really can’t touch him" — no conviction possible |
| Trump is a normal politician | He has "Napoleonic" ambition — wants to be defining figure of our age |
| He compares himself to other presidents | He compares himself to Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan |
| Journalists understand him | If you don’t have "humility" about being wrong, "you’re operating in a fairly delusional way" |
Summary
Jonathan Swan, a top New York Times reporter, just admitted something remarkable: The media has been wrong about Donald Trump over and over again.
His key points:
- Trump is politically bulletproof right now — wealthy, legally protected, and with years left in power
- Trump thinks historically, not politically — he sees himself alongside Napoleon and Alexander the Great, not Clinton or Eisenhower
- He showed reporters a document explicitly ranking him as the most powerful human ever, focused entirely on "raw power"
- Journalists need humility — if you keep writing his political obituary and he keeps surviving, the problem is your understanding, not him
- Next target might be Cuba — but Swan refuses to predict specifics
The White House says this misses the point: Trump cares about making America greater, not historical rankings.
FAQ
Who is Jonathan Swan?
Jonathan Swan is a prominent political reporter for The New York Times. He’s known for his tough, detailed interviews with President Trump (including a famous 2020 HBO/Axios interview where he fact-checked Trump in real time).
What does "Napoleonic" mean in this context?
It means ambition on a historic, world-changing scale. Napoleon Bonaparte was a French emperor who conquered much of Europe and reshaped the continent. Swan says Trump wants that level of historical significance — to be a "defining figure of our age" known by one name.
What is the book "Regime Change" about?
"Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" is Swan and Haberman’s new book. It examines how Trump has expanded presidential power and transformed the presidency itself — what they call an "imperial presidency."
Did Trump really show them a document comparing him to Hitler and Stalin?
According to Swan, yes. He says Trump showed him and Maggie Haberman a document during a White House meeting that explicitly listed Trump above dictators and conquerors throughout history. The document reportedly focused only on "raw power," not morality.
Why does Swan say journalists are "delusional"?
Because they’ve repeatedly declared Trump finished — after the Access Hollywood tape, after January 6th, after indictments, after the 2020 loss — and every time he came back stronger. Swan argues that if you keep making the same wrong prediction, you should question your analysis, not reality.
Original article source: NY Times reporter admits Trump’s ‘delusional’ foes have wrongly written his political obituary many times
