Details of Trump’s Chaotic Transition Revealed in New Book

WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to Jonathan Karl‘s new book “Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign that Changed America,” Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential transition was marked by sabotage and infighting among potential Cabinet members.

Karl reports that Howard Lutnick aimed to discredit Sean Duffy, a former television personality, by revealing a decade-old criticism of Trump. Although this effort failed, it exemplified the intense competition among would-be officials vying for positions in Trump’s new administration.

The details emerged from an excerpt of the book published in Vanity Fair, where Karl describes a chaotic transition process that involved various business leaders and politicians congregating at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Karl notes that Trump approached his second administration with greater confidence compared to his first term.

In an October 2024 phone call, Trump told Karl, “The difference between now and before is I know everybody now.” He expressed a reluctance to plan his administration’s staffing until after securing the election, fearing that such discussions could jeopardize his chances.

According to Karl, Lutnick, who is now Secretary of Commerce, played a pivotal role in preparing for Cabinet selections. He established a detailed presentation system in the Tea Room featuring candidate qualifications, video highlights, and images to help Trump visualize nominees.

The atmosphere grew tense early in the transition. When Susie Wiles met with Trump shortly after the election, rival contenders Linda McMahon and Brooke Rollins attempted to undermine her selection by arriving at Mar-a-Lago simultaneously.

Despite multiple attempts to influence Trump’s choices, the book indicates that Lutnick’s strategy to undermine Duffy was ultimately unsuccessful. Duffy and his wife were able to change Trump’s mind, leading him to eventually select Duffy for the role of Secretary of Transportation.

“Retribution” is set for release on October 28 and will cover numerous instances from Trump’s tumultuous campaign and transition period.