Trump Compares Himself to Genghis Khan, Napoleon, and Attila the Hun

During a March interview with journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan for their upcoming book, President Donald Trump displayed a document asserting his greater strength compared to some of history’s most notorious leaders, including Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Stalin, Mao, and Hitler, according to CNN.

Trump was questioned by Haberman and Swan, both from The New York Times, about his power as president in a potential second term and his place in history.

This inquiry prompted Trump to recount a two-page document he received from a purported historian during an event honoring Gary Player, a renowned American golfer. He asked an aide to retrieve a copy of the document, which claimed that every other leader, regardless of their historical fearsome reputation, lacked global influence and only wielded local power—unlike his own, as asserted by Trump.

Haberman and Swan report that Trump proudly showcased the letter, listing the names of powerful historical figures and explaining how each fell short compared to his own presidential capabilities.

These leaders, Trump remarked, “maintained their power through fear,” according to the book. He continued, “Who would ever do such a thing?”

Document Authorship Revealed

When Swan and Haberman sought to identify the author of the letter, they discovered it was not a historian but rather a caddie and personal confidant of Gary Player. Upon being contacted by the journalists, the caddie explained that he had first shared his assessment of Trump’s power with Player and later conveyed it directly to Trump during a round of golf in Florida.

Shortly after midnight on Thursday, Trump shared the document on his social network, Truth Social, insisting that its author is a “presidential historian.”

CNN notes this anecdote is one of many striking scenes captured in Haberman and Swan’s forthcoming book, “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” which was obtained by the network prior to its release in bookstores.

The book chronicles how Trump utilized his power, who attempted to thwart him, and why nearly all failed. It also explores a phenomenon that American journalists typically cover in distant capitals rather than their own country: a president who fundamentally altered the nature of the office he holds and, consequently, the world’s perception of American power, according to a description on Goodreads.

Details on Trump’s Envoy Negotiations with Putin

Haberman and Swan’s book provides behind-the-scenes details regarding efforts by Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump appointed Witkoff, a New York real estate developer and longtime associate, as the primary negotiator for addressing various diplomatic crises, including those involving Gaza and Ukraine.

The book indicates Witkoff sought to make progress in relations with Putin through personal rapport, and it appeared Putin was engaging in this dynamic without yielding anything on the battlefield.

During a meeting last year at the Kremlin, Putin was doodling on his personalized stationery. When Witkoff inquired about it, Putin revealed it read “3+2″—a reference to the territorial framework Witkoff had discussed with him to stop the fighting.

“Can you sign this for me to take home?” Witkoff asked, according to the book.

Putin signed the doodle, which Witkoff framed upon returning home, as detailed by Haberman and Swan.

The two American journalists published their book after conducting hundreds of interviews related to Trump’s new term in office.