The Best People

Trump's Cabinet and the Siege on Washington

By: Alexander Nazaryan

Narrated by: Robert Fass

An engrossing look at the Trump cabinet: the scandals, the incompetence, the assault on the federal government, the bungled attempts to impose order on an administration lost in a chaos of its own making.
Donald Trump promised a return to national greatness, but each day of his presidency seems to bring a new crisis, a deepening sense of national unease. Why, and how, has he failed his supporters? And how has he, on occasion, bested his detractors?

The Best People takes complete measure of the Trump administration, to grasp with clarity the president and his intentions, and how those intentions are being carried out-or subverted-by the people he has hired.

Alexander Nazaryan argues that the "assault on the administrative state" promised by Steve Bannon in early 2017 never came. What the American people got instead was Wilbur Ross hauling his tennis pro to confirmation hearing preparations; Scott Pruitt running away from rattlesnakes; Reince Priebus enduring insults from junior White House staffers.

And yet, bungling as Trump's cabinet members have been, they have managed to either damage or arrest many of the gears that make government run. They have given away public lands to oil companies and allowed corporate lobbyists to make decisions about what is best for the American people, and have done it all while flying on private jets and dining at the finest restaurants, at taxpayers' expense.

Meticulously reported and enthrallingly told, The Best People takes readers inside the federal government under Trump's control, a government assailed by the very people charged to lead it, a government awash in confusion and corruption.

Critic reviews

"An essential exposé of the first two years of the Trump administration.... the first to fully capture just how dysfunctional - and destructive - Trump's executive branch has turned out to be."—The Washington Post

"Alexander Nazaryan offers a field guide to the black lagoon of Trumpworld."
—The Guardian

"[The] most authoritative look at the Trump cabinet, period."—AOL Build

"A fascinating read."—Charlie Sykes, "The Bulwark" podcast

"Nazaryan shows clearly how Donald Trump, with his 'intentionally nonlinear presidency,' established a Cabinet consisting of crucially inexperienced individuals in public service, each remarkably unqualified to assume key pivotal decision-making roles in politics ... Nazaryan provides glaring examples of the rampant conflicts of interests and ethical red flags... A fresh spin on a dire situation .... A dizzying, tragicomic crash course in contemporary political incapacities."—Kirkus Reviews

Great Tell About Trump's Corruption in White House

Best book yet about Trump & His Corrupt Cabinet Members. Very interesting book. Read it !!!!

OMG lol!!!

an epic tale of entitled amoral douche bags who's only claim to fame is built around falsehoods and delusions...these people are as its put in reference to Scott pruit are "legends in their own minds" bullshit legends at that which is why I found this book to be comical....Nothing that Trump does has ever surprised me and if you have never paid attention to him from back in the 80s just know SNL is giving you a very accurate yet hilarious synopsis lol I enjoyed the book even though I was shaking my head alot it was often followed by chuckles and really good laughs. I recommend this book if you to laugh at this deplorable motley crew

Grifters, felons and thieves

Good Jon by Mr. Nazaryan.

Trump the mediocre wannabe can’t possible pick what any of us could, because he is what he considers the best and by now everyone is aware of the gum on the bottom of a shoe he represents.

He can only see as far as his T-Rex arms and tiny hands can reach.

The hottest pit in hell won’t be hot enough for Donald Trump.

A great look at what incomputance looks like.

This book is a great look at what incomputance looks like in real time. Its worst than you thought.

Mr. Brown

I love this audiobook, not only illuminating the greed of not just Trumps appointees but A great illustration of the history lobbying. If you thought “the people” have a say in policy, think again!