Key Takeaways
- A warning memo flagged a shakedown scheme during the Trump transition, but Trump ignored it.
- Secret meetings on a yacht discussed picks like Matt Gaetz for top jobs.
- Names like Kristi Noem and Sean Duffy faced strong pushback from some aides.
- The memo urged Trump to cut ties with adviser Boris Epshteyn for legal risks.
- These revelations come from Jonathan Karl’s new book, shedding light on post-election chaos.
What You Need to Know About the Trump Transition
Jonathan Karl’s new book lifts the curtain on how President Trump’s team tried to fill key roles. After the 2020 election, insiders claimed the Trump transition ran smoother than in 2016. Susie Wiles took charge and bragged about having a fast, orderly system. Yet behind the scenes, a rival group held secret gatherings to push their own picks for top jobs. This dual approach created confusion and conflict. People close to Trump often raced to win his attention and approval.
Hidden Meetings on a Yacht
Not all planning took place at Mar-a-Lago. Some advisers slipped away to a yacht moored just down the intercoastal waterway. They called their planning the “alternative transition.” On the boat, they plotted to install people like Matt Gaetz as attorney general and Kash Patel as FBI director. Meetings were small and intense. Attendees hoped to sway Trump’s final choices. They believed their picks would reshape Washington fast. Yet these private talks drew anger from the main team, which felt excluded and undermined.
Infighting Among Trump Aides
Inside the official group, tension ran high. Some insiders opposed nominees like Kristi Noem for homeland security and Sean Duffy for transportation. They argued Noem lacked experience for a cabinet role, while Duffy’s resume felt thin for running a massive agency. Meanwhile, a battle erupted over the treasury secretary slot between Howard Lutnick and Scott Bessent. Friends of Lutnick clashed with Bessent’s allies. Each side tried to sell Trump on its candidate. Such fights consumed valuable time and energy. They also exposed how personal loyalties often mattered more than qualifications.
The Shakedown Warning
The most explosive detail involves Boris Epshteyn, a longtime campaign adviser turned personal counsel. Trump’s lawyer, Dave Warrington, sent a memo warning that Epshteyn was shaking down job seekers. The memo claimed Epshteyn demanded favors to support hopeful appointees. Warrington urged Trump to cut all contact with him, cautioning that any tie could lead to a public scandal or legal action. For about two days, Epshteyn was frozen out. Yet Trump soon brushed off the alert. He kept Epshteyn close, trusting his loyalty over the risk spelled out in the memo.
Why This Matters Now
These revelations show how chaotic the 2020 transition really was. While the public saw swift progress, the inner workings came with hidden drama. Such chaos can weaken governance and delay critical decisions. It also highlights how personal relationships can shape national leadership picks. Since the transition, Epshteyn rose to become a senior counsel in the White House. The infighting over nominees left lasting divides among Trump allies. And the yacht meetings remind us that power often moves in secret, beyond official channels. Understanding this episode helps explain decisions made early in Trump’s second term.
FAQs
What is Jonathan Karl’s book about?
His book explores the campaign and transition that followed Trump’s 2020 victory. It offers an inside look at staffing fights, secret meetings, and legal warnings.
Why was the yacht meeting significant?
The yacht hosted advisers who felt shut out of the main team. They plotted to name their own choices for top jobs, hoping to steer the incoming administration.
Who is Boris Epshteyn?
Epshteyn is a longtime Trump campaign adviser. He later became the president’s personal senior counsel. A memo warned he was shaking down job seekers.
What happened after the shakedown warning?
Trump briefly froze out Epshteyn for two days. Still, he soon welcomed him back and ignored the lawyer’s advice to avoid him.