I recently read Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power, written by Politico alum Alex Isenstadt. If you’re looking for a sharp, political read this summer, I highly recommend it.

The book paints Donald Trump as an old-school party boss, meticulously tracking who is with him and who is against him, while pressuring those who hesitate. From my perspective, that portrayal feels spot-on. What really struck me was just how successful this approach proved to be for him.

One of the most fascinating parts of the book covers the period after the 2022 midterm elections. The Republican results fell short of expectations, and several Trump-endorsed candidates underperformed. For a brief moment, the party establishment seemed ready to move on. Then Trump announced his re-election bid, a bold move that signaled his intent to maintain control over the GOP. His team immediately targeted Ron DeSantis, seeing him as the most significant threat in the primary.

The primaries themselves were unusual. Instead of challenging the frontrunner, most candidates spent more time praising Trump than drawing distinctions. Even Nikki Haley only truly ran against him for a couple of weeks — and during that short window, she climbed to 40% in the polls. To me, that shows the race that could have been if others had taken a more direct approach.

The book also delves into the turning point following Trump’s indictment. In politics, polling often drives things — and here, instead of sinking, Trump’s numbers rose. The indictment, coupled with the New York case, triggered a rallying effect among his supporters. In my view, that moment cemented his dominance within the Republican Party and set the stage for his unlikely comeback.

Overall, Revenge is a compelling inside account, blending political strategy with behind-the-scenes details. I came away with a deeper understanding of how Trump not only survived political setbacks but managed to turn them into fuel for his return.

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