H.R. McMaster's new book details his 13-month tenure as Donald Trump's national security adviser. McMaster portrays Trump as an insecure leader, susceptible to flattery and easily manipulated by foreign adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin. McMaster describes Trump as becoming irritable and fatigued during a 2017 trip to the Middle East and Italy, expressing frustration over the trip's length to his advisers. McMaster reflects on the high staff turnover in the Trump White House, attributing it to burnout, conflicting principles, and falling out of favor with Trump. He likens the experience to living at the base of an active volcano, expressing his frustration with the constant friction and drama.
