New book digs deep into Trump’s second term in office

This is the June 23, 2026, edition of “The Tea, Spilled by Morning Joe” newsletter.Subscribe hereto get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday through Friday.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“When you do oppose, you get your fucking head kicked in.”

— Political consultant and Trump ally Chris LaCivita, quoted in the new book “Regime Change,” on why Republicans don’t push back on the president 

In “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” released today, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan chronicle the turbulent first year of Donald Trump’s second presidency through the eyes of the aides, advisers, allies, and rivals at the center of it.

Based on more than 1,000 interviews, the book takes readers behind closed doors at the White House as a small circle of loyalists works to transform both the federal government and the presidency itself.

Haberman and Swan joined us this morning to discuss their reporting. 

Haberman: This was a huge, intensive effort to show readers how this government works, how this administration is functioning, how decisions are made. If you want to understand the small group of people who are running this government — and what it could mean going forward — this is the best effort we can offer right now. It’s a first draft of the history of this really unrecognizable White House.

Swan: There are really only two options: You go along and fall in line, or you get crushed. And they’re open about that. 

CHARTS

Source: CBS-YouGov poll of 2,519 adults in the U.S., margin of error: ±2.4 points

ON THIS DATE

Ten years ago today, Britain voted 52% to 48% to leave the European Union — the first country ever to do so. Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the Brexit referendum and campaigned to remain, resigned the next morning.

McQuillan/Getty Images

Artist and writer Brian John Spencer works on a political cartoon depicting Nigel Farage as ballots are counted in the Brexit referendum on June 23, 2016, in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

WHAT THEY SAID

Willie Geist on Iran sanctions relief  

“You cannot turn over $10 billion — plus a $300 billion investment fund — and say, as JD Vance has, that we hope Iran will become a normal country. The last 50 years have proven they will not.” 

Jonathan Lemire on whitewashing Iran 

“This is clearly the play from the White House: to try to memory-hole this war. The long-term implications are significant, real, and likely disastrous for the United States and its interests, but the short-term political decision is to pretend this never happened.”

Jonathan Martin on 2028 politics at the Obama Center 

“This event ostensibly is about Obama’s library, but it’s really about the politics of the past, present, and future. They’re all converging there in one place at one time.” 

EXTRA HOT TEA

12.6 million

— The number of ballots cast in Democratic primaries this year, outnumbering the 8.6 million in Republican contests 

ONE MORE SHOT

Iranian Football Federation via Telegram

After playing at SoFi Stadium, Iran’s national soccer team left a note expressing its gratitude to Los Angeles for its hospitality. The note reads:

“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity. Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice, and soil for Iran throughout these 180 minutes. May peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations.”

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