New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan appeared on The Daily Show to discuss their new book, "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump."

The interview provides a rare glimpse into the internal decision-making processes of the Trump administration, highlighting the gap between public policy and private motivations. By detailing the inner workings of the White House, the reporters illustrate how personal impulses often drove national security and economic strategies.

During the discussion with host Jon Stewart, the journalists revealed specific instances of presidential conduct, including Trump’s absence during a meeting regarding the Epstein files. They also addressed the motivations behind the rollout of tariffs and the administration's strategy regarding a war with Iran.

Haberman and Swan used the platform to respond to attacks from President Trump. The reporters had met with the president at the White House three days [1] before the interview took place. This meeting occurred shortly after the release of their book, which was reviewed by The New York Times on June 18, 2026 [2].

The book examines what the authors describe as the internal dynamics of the administration. They explored the logic behind controversial actions, and the specific ways the president interacted with his staff and advisors. The reporters said the work aims to shed light on the reality of the imperial presidency.

Throughout the segment, the reporters detailed how the administration's approach to governance often relied on a form of magical thinking. This perspective was particularly evident in the strategy concerning Iran, where the authors argue that the risks were balanced against personal political goals.

“The interview provides a rare glimpse into the internal decision-making processes of the Trump administration.”

The publication of "Regime Change" and the subsequent media tour signal a concerted effort by high-level journalists to document the operational patterns of the Trump presidency. By focusing on the discrepancy between official policy and internal motivation—such as the Epstein files and Iran strategy—the authors are attempting to establish a historical record of executive behavior that challenges the official narrative of the administration.