Siege by Michael Wolff Summary
Overview of Siege
Wolff's explosive sequel to "Fire and Fury" reveals a White House consumed by paranoia during the Mueller investigation. Debuting at #1 on NYT bestsellers, this controversial insider account answers the question: How chaotic was Trump's presidency behind closed doors?
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Key takeaways
When the Walls Close In
Picture a 71-year-old man in the White House residence, eating Three Musketeers bars in bed at midnight, calling the same television host for reassurance. Again. This isn't the image we typically associate with presidential power, yet it captures something essential about Trump's second year in office. After Michael Wolff's first book pulled back the curtain on a chaotic first year, "Siege" reveals something perhaps more unsettling: a president simultaneously under investigation, increasingly isolated, yet somehow maintaining an unshakable belief in his own invincibility. "Even if it's bad, it's great," his lawyer told Steve Bannon about Trump's mindset-a philosophy that would be tested as Robert Mueller's investigation tightened its grip. What does it look like when the most powerful office in the world becomes a prison of its own making? "Where is my fucking letter?" Trump demanded repeatedly, desperate for written confirmation he wasn't Mueller's target. But inside the White House, everyone knew the truth. Nearly every senior staffer had retained lawyers. Steve Bannon alone spent $2 million in legal fees. Staff avoided meetings to prevent becoming witnesses. They trusted no one, knowing colleagues might "flip" to save themselves. The Mueller grand jury met Thursdays and Fridays, listening with what witnesses called "scary attention." Hope Hicks embodied this precarious existence. At 29, Trump's communications director and ultimate secret-keeper, she had admitted to the House Intelligence Committee about telling "white lies" for the president-a confession requiring emergency legal consultation. Trump valued her not for political acumen but for pliant dutifulness, calling her "Hope-y" while simultaneously making her the subject of prurient speculation. When she abruptly resigned in February 2018, alarm bells rang. Had she cut a deal? She'd been on Air Force One when they crafted a largely false story about Don Jr.'s Trump Tower meeting with Russians. Trump publicly praised her departure but privately began downgrading her importance, suspecting she might be talking to investigators. In Trump's world, loyalty only flows one direction-and even that has limits when legal jeopardy looms.
The Exile and His Populist Vision
The Lawyers, The Lies, The Leverage
The Fixer and the Art of Shameless Lies
The Reckoning Abroad
The Walls That Never Were
What Remains When the Siege Lifts
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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