Understanding Trump, by Newt Gingrich

Can anyone understand President Donald Trump?  If anyone can, in a political sense, it's Newt Gingrich.  The former Speaker of the House and congressman from Georgia, Gingrich was an early supporter of Donald Trump's presidential ambitions and became an advisor to his campaign.  His book Understanding Trump tells a bit of the story that got Trump to the White House, discusses some of Trump's agenda and perspectives, and lays out policy prescriptions for a way forward for the Trump White House.

The story of Trump's entry into the presidential race and the first days of his administration is familiar to most readers.  Less known is Gingrich's role.  Gingrich gives a nice summary of Trump's background, primarily his business life, while emphasizing the skills Trump gained in the private sector which he can apply to presidential leadership.  Trump has been known more for his "art of the deal," his practical approach to getting things done, and his emphasis on the bottom line more than for his ideological commitments.  I hope Gingrich is right, and that Trump will apply his business instincts to reducing waste and mismanagement in government projects and operations.  One example that stood out is the huge amount of money that the federal government spends to maintain vacant real estate space around the country.  Since real estate has been one of Trump's fortes, why not use his experience to sell or lease space, rather than let it sit and drain the treasury?

Gingrich spends some time talking about Trump's opposition in the press and academia.  There is no question that the press, as a whole, is vindictively out to get Trump and harm his presidency.  Gingrich recounts some of the remarkable examples of lies and half truths the press perpetuates in the interest of discrediting Trump.  The influencers of the nation are full of intellectuals yet idiots, the IYIs whose ideological commitments hold sway over facts and logic.  Gingrich recounts the rise of the IYIs and the hardening of the left; the Democratic Party of today has little resemblance to the party of LBJ and JFK, as it has become more and more driven by collectivization and identity politics.

Gingrich strikes a great balance of personal insight, historical perspective (his is an historian by training, with a Ph.D. in history), and policy experience.  Much of the latter portion of Understanding Trump is very wonky.  In fact, this is the best part of the book and of Gingrich's connection with Trump.  Gingrich's work in the congress brought a broad coalition together to pass significant legislation, and his conservative bona fides are strong.  In my opinion, the more influence Gingrich can have on Trump, the better.  I don't know what their current level of communication is, but Trump would be wise to keep those channels open.

If you're looking for criticism of Trump, you won't find much in Understanding Trump.  But if you truly do want to gain a greater understanding of Trump from an insider's perspective, whatever your personal political inclination, Understanding Trump is essential reading.



Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!