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Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House
The first honest insider’s account of the Trump administration.
After standing at Donald Trump’s side on Election Night, Cliff Sims joined him in the West Wing as Special Assistant to the President and Director of White House Message Strategy.
He soon found himself pulled into the President’s inner circle as a confidante, an errand boy, an advisor, a punching bag, and a friend. Sometimes all in the same conversation.
As a result, Sims gained unprecedented access to the President, sitting in on private meetings with key Congressional officials, world leaders, and top White House advisors. He saw how Trump handled the challenges of the office, and he learned from Trump himself how he saw the world.
For five hundred days, Sims also witnessed first-hand the infighting and leaking, the anger, joy, and recriminations. He had a role in some of the President’s biggest successes, and he shared the blame for some of his administration’s worst disasters. He gained key, often surprising insights into the players of the Trump West Wing, from Jared Kushner and John Kelly to Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway.
He even helped Trump craft his enemies list, knowing who was loyal and who was not.
And he took notes. Hundreds of pages of notes. In real-time.
Sims stood with the President in the eye of the storm raging around him, and now he tells the story that no one else has written—because no one else could. The story of what it was really like in the West Wing as a member of the President’s team. The story of power and palace intrigue, backstabbing and bold victories, as well as painful moral compromises, occasionally with yourself.
Team of Vipers tells the full story, as only a true insider could.
After standing at Donald Trump’s side on Election Night, Cliff Sims joined him in the West Wing as Special Assistant to the President and Director of White House Message Strategy.
He soon found himself pulled into the President’s inner circle as a confidante, an errand boy, an advisor, a punching bag, and a friend. Sometimes all in the same conversation.
As a result, Sims gained unprecedented access to the President, sitting in on private meetings with key Congressional officials, world leaders, and top White House advisors. He saw how Trump handled the challenges of the office, and he learned from Trump himself how he saw the world.
For five hundred days, Sims also witnessed first-hand the infighting and leaking, the anger, joy, and recriminations. He had a role in some of the President’s biggest successes, and he shared the blame for some of his administration’s worst disasters. He gained key, often surprising insights into the players of the Trump West Wing, from Jared Kushner and John Kelly to Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway.
He even helped Trump craft his enemies list, knowing who was loyal and who was not.
And he took notes. Hundreds of pages of notes. In real-time.
Sims stood with the President in the eye of the storm raging around him, and now he tells the story that no one else has written—because no one else could. The story of what it was really like in the West Wing as a member of the President’s team. The story of power and palace intrigue, backstabbing and bold victories, as well as painful moral compromises, occasionally with yourself.
Team of Vipers tells the full story, as only a true insider could.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published January 29, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 376 reviews
March 25, 2019
Because I am a lazy reader, I dislike unreliable narrators: they make me work too hard. True, if the writing be fiction, and the writer be greatly gifted (Twain, Nabokov, Kesey, Banville), I may decide to enter—and joyfully enter—into their world. But if the writing is a memoir, and the writer is a second-rate political hack trying to make his million with a tell-all, who chooses to withhold from his readers the worst truths about himself, then my dislike soon turns to contempt and my interest flags. After all, why must I be the one who separates the hogwash from the hog?
That sums up the way I feel about Cliff Sims and his book Team of Vipers: My Extraordinary 500 Days in the Trump White House. This former Birmingham right-wing talk show host emphasizes his Evangelical roots (proud son and grandson of preachers, he puts into his book a photo of granddaddy Jimmy standing next to Cliffy during a West Wing tour), and is clever enough to be honest and open about unflattering facts already revealed about him by the press (his takedown of Alabama governor Bentley with a surreptitious recording, his offer of a job at State abruptly withdrawn, his humiliating exclusion from an Oval Office meeting honoring his college team the Crimson Tide), but, although he frankly acknowledges not living up to his own Christian ideals (“I had a warrior spirit,” he writes, “but lacked a servant heart”), he explicitly catalogs the failings of others while glossing over his own great sins.
Let’s take two examples: the Compiling of the President’s Enemies List and the Coming of the Mooch to the White House.
First, the Compiling of the Enemies List. After an embarrassing story appeared in Politico about the White House Communications team and its leaks, Trump’s body man Keith Schilling asked Cliff—who elsewhere in the book freely admits to being a leaker—exactly who he thinks is responsible for the majority of these leaks. Cliff shares his theory: it is the RNC loyalists (presumably Spicer, Priebus,etc), who bailed from the reelection campaign after the Access Hollywood tapes but later wormed their way into the White House, who are the problem (not of course the loyal ones who stuck around, like Keith, Hope, and Cliffy himself).
Later that day, Schilling leads Sims into the Oval Office:
”Give me their names,” the President intoned. Only in retrospect did I see how remarkable this was. I was sitting there with the President of the United States basically compiling an enemies list—but these enemies were within his own administration. If it had been a horror movie, this would have been the moment when everyone suddenly realizes that the call is coming from inside the house. . . .About three months later (but—alas!—long before the above wise biblical reflection), we can see Sims once more plotting against his enemies Spicer and Priebus:
I felt relieved, but I also felt—I don’t know—something very close to guilt. I had told the President the truth. I wasn’t making up lies about anyone. He had asked and I had given my sincere opinions. But in doing this I sense that I was losing myself in what I had rationalized as a necessary struggle for survival.
I missed Alabama. I missed my friends from church. . . I had lost the support of a community that made sure I wasn’t finding my identity in a job. After all, to paraphrase the Gospel according to Mark: What does it profit a man to survive in Trump’s White House but forfeit his soul?
”No one knows this yet,” a close friend of Scaramucci’s told me, “but the President is probably about to make Mooch the new White House Communications Director. The problem, the friend explained, was that Reince Priebus and Steve Bannon were going to do whatever it took to keep him out. . . .No, not really. At least not on this scale. Not the toppling of the Chief of Staff. And do you notice what important detail Sims leaves out but which is obvious from the context? He never says explicitly, “Then I made the decision to pick up the phone and call Scaramucci.” It’s not quite the same thing as mistakes were made, but if you ask me, it’s damn close.
The whole thing felt like “Game of Thrones,” but with the characters from “Veep.”
Scaramucci was looking for advice on how to handle the entire situation, and our mutual friend thought I was in a good position to help him out, especially since I was so frustrated with Spicer.
Within minutes, I was on the phone to Scaramucci . . .
I guess it should have concerned me more than it did that I was now involved in a plot to undermine the White House Chief of Staff. But it didn’t even cross my mind. This was the Trump White House and this sort of thing happened every day.
Funny, though. When Cliff Sims named his book Team of Vipers, he was clearly thinking of Matthew 12:34: “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?” It’s a shame he didn’t read a little further, down to Matthew 12:37: "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
February 13, 2019
No, I have not read it. I have a problem with the title. It should be: CAUCUS OF CLOWNS.
February 1, 2019
While there have been many tell-all books about the Trump White House, many seek only to create the largest bloodbath possible. Scorning President Trump and those around him proves to be a message that sells copies and helps to rile up the reading/general public. Enter Cliff Sims, whose work on the Trump Campaign and in the White House offers an insider’s view of the man and those who surrounded him. Providing more of a velvet glove approach, Sims recounts that he was lured away from his burgeoning radio and online presence in Alabama to work on the Campaign. He helped Trump craft effective communication strategies while guiding the candidate through the various hoops, made more difficult when dealing with a mix of Trump loyalists and RNC devotees. This example introduces the first theme of the book, the splintered core group. Sims argues throughout that the collection of staffers who surrounded Trump were rarely of the same mind. Sure, there will be differences within every group, but these vastly varied views did less to provide interesting political banter and more to erode the team’s foundation, thereby helping to weaken the Trump message. Sims exemplifies this on many occasions, as different characters sought to stab others in the back or toss them to the wolves, including the likes of former Chief of Staff John Kelly, who orchestrated Sims’ ouster. The book’s title seems quite apt, as there were vipers at every turn, ready to strike. Sims also tries to argue that any relationship with Trump was less about political acumen and more a personal connection. Sims explains that Trump cared less about a person’s politics than how they treated him in general, which can be supported repeated when speaking of the interactions with Trump and former House Speak Paul Ryan. On numerous occasions, because the Speaker had a chilly personal connection to Trump, there was little respect between them when discussing political and policy issues. Both Sims and many others in the mainstream media speak of the loyalty factor demanded by Trump, which helps colour many of his interactions and better explains why there are some with whom he will not negotiate, no matter the topic. A final theme seen throughout the book comes from a metaphor Sims uses during one of his numerous vignettes, in which he describes work in the White House as being ‘more wooden than golden’. While he has few regrets about his time there, Sims repeatedly speaks of the drama and daily chaos that wore much of the lustre off ‘assistant to the President’ and left many feeling as though the position was cumbersome. The allure of Washington may seem classy to many, but time within the Trump White House can quickly remove any glory and leave a person feeling the brunt of attacks. Without tossing any one person under the bus, Sims does recount that his time there lost its pizzazz when having to dodge bullets and defend news stories, while dancing on eggshells from morning until well past dusk. What could have been magical ended up being maniacal and kept Sims from being able to flourish to his full potential. A thoroughly intriguing look inside the Trump White House, without solely recounting backstabbing of staff and the president himself, Sims saves much of his grandstanding for media and those who had sour grapes of their own. Worth a look by those with an interest in the topic, though I’d steer clear if you want POTUS evisceration.
It is refreshing to get an insider’s look of any political situation without all the drama and bloodletting. Cliff Sims does an effective job at laying things out as he saw them, offering ups and downs alongside support and distancing, whenever he saw fit. He chose not to be a complete sycophant to Trump, but surely sided with him more than he disagreed, leading to his long stay on the White House team. Sims develops his book in a seemingly chronological fashion, bouncing around a little to fit the various themes. The narrative shows a progress that the reader can follow as well as key events used as marker to gauge how well or poorly those closest to Trump felt he was doing. While I enjoyed this slow development, there was also the ongoing need to poke holes into much of the media portrayal of things that happened in the White House, as well as a few of the other tell-all books that have hit the marketplace. While it is surely an attempt to climb over these other authors and sell his ‘definitive’ account, the conscious and attentive reader can take it all with a grain of sand and realize that Sims surely wants to stay on the good side of Hurricane Trump. Still, it was a decent effort to knock others down in the process. One must also scoff a little at the somewhat juvenile censoring of direct quotes found within the text. As I listened on audio, I was sure that the publisher might have been trying a little something to ‘protect the innocent ears of the listener’, but only later discovered when flipping through the book that Sims dashes out much of the raw language. While not a trucker or sailor by any account, one need not be so prudish as not play such games. I realise that Sims may want to use his Southern charm, but if you’re going to quote them, do so. Your pastor will not smite you down, of that I am sure. (Before anyone seeks to slander me for presuming there is anything religious about Sims, he repeats his church attendance and strong faith throughout the piece, that being to God and not Trump alone.) With detailed chapters and a great deal of direct discussion of topics widely covered, as well as new fodder to add to the mix, Sims effectively shows that life in the Trump White House is better than any circus that has come to town. I think I am Trumped out—no more tell-all books for me—until the gaggle of GOP folks decide to run against him in the primaries.
Kudos, Mr. Sims, on this well-crafted piece of writing. I did learn a great deal and am eager to see how things play out in the coming year. You do, however unintentionally, show me that Trump remains a real asp... to play along with your title theme.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
It is refreshing to get an insider’s look of any political situation without all the drama and bloodletting. Cliff Sims does an effective job at laying things out as he saw them, offering ups and downs alongside support and distancing, whenever he saw fit. He chose not to be a complete sycophant to Trump, but surely sided with him more than he disagreed, leading to his long stay on the White House team. Sims develops his book in a seemingly chronological fashion, bouncing around a little to fit the various themes. The narrative shows a progress that the reader can follow as well as key events used as marker to gauge how well or poorly those closest to Trump felt he was doing. While I enjoyed this slow development, there was also the ongoing need to poke holes into much of the media portrayal of things that happened in the White House, as well as a few of the other tell-all books that have hit the marketplace. While it is surely an attempt to climb over these other authors and sell his ‘definitive’ account, the conscious and attentive reader can take it all with a grain of sand and realize that Sims surely wants to stay on the good side of Hurricane Trump. Still, it was a decent effort to knock others down in the process. One must also scoff a little at the somewhat juvenile censoring of direct quotes found within the text. As I listened on audio, I was sure that the publisher might have been trying a little something to ‘protect the innocent ears of the listener’, but only later discovered when flipping through the book that Sims dashes out much of the raw language. While not a trucker or sailor by any account, one need not be so prudish as not play such games. I realise that Sims may want to use his Southern charm, but if you’re going to quote them, do so. Your pastor will not smite you down, of that I am sure. (Before anyone seeks to slander me for presuming there is anything religious about Sims, he repeats his church attendance and strong faith throughout the piece, that being to God and not Trump alone.) With detailed chapters and a great deal of direct discussion of topics widely covered, as well as new fodder to add to the mix, Sims effectively shows that life in the Trump White House is better than any circus that has come to town. I think I am Trumped out—no more tell-all books for me—until the gaggle of GOP folks decide to run against him in the primaries.
Kudos, Mr. Sims, on this well-crafted piece of writing. I did learn a great deal and am eager to see how things play out in the coming year. You do, however unintentionally, show me that Trump remains a real asp... to play along with your title theme.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Shelved as 'not-to-read'
January 25, 2019This just in: everyone hates Donald Trump. Well, who'd a thunk it?
January 30, 2019
Overall, pretty fucking boring.
Sims, as you may know, is a fan of Trump. He spends some time rationalizing this at the beginning of the book, admitting he doesn't agree with Trump on a lot of things because Sims is a conservative with strong Christian values, but then admitting that none of that really matters because Trump is lightyears better than the devil incarnate, Hillary Clinton. Most of the book is then spent offering increasingly insincere excuses for Trump's various gaffes and just ignoring the others, while spending way too much time talking about the bickering and infighting within the White House which has already been reported on previously and better by others. It's kind've like Sims read Fire and Fury and Fear by Wolff and Woodward, respectively, and decided to relay the same events from his own perspective without offering justification or insight.
If you're hoping for any truly juicy drama or insights about the Russia investigation, forget it. Robert Mueller is mentioned exactly once - in a offhand way to take a swipe at Michael Wolff - and Jeff Sessions can't make an appearance without Sims fawning over what a deeply moral and courageous individual he is - a man he verbally fellates only second to Trump himself.
But probably the best summary of the entire book is how he handles James Comey's firing, which, needless to say, directly led to the appointment of Special Counsel Mueller. Keep in mind that Sims here is the DIRECTOR OF WHITE HOUSE MESSAGE STRATEGY. Like everyone else, he's blindsided when the firing happens, but he quickly whips up some basic Republican talking points to support the firing, and later tells Trump directly that Trump should trust his instincts.
So what happens after Trump's interview with Lester Holt where he directly contradicts the official story a mere two days later? What did the White House do? What did their Director of Message Strategy think about that? Well, we have no idea, since he immediately skips past it and never mentions it again for the entire rest of the book.
Turns out that much like Steve Bannon, Cliff Sims is also trying to suck his own cock.
Sims, as you may know, is a fan of Trump. He spends some time rationalizing this at the beginning of the book, admitting he doesn't agree with Trump on a lot of things because Sims is a conservative with strong Christian values, but then admitting that none of that really matters because Trump is lightyears better than the devil incarnate, Hillary Clinton. Most of the book is then spent offering increasingly insincere excuses for Trump's various gaffes and just ignoring the others, while spending way too much time talking about the bickering and infighting within the White House which has already been reported on previously and better by others. It's kind've like Sims read Fire and Fury and Fear by Wolff and Woodward, respectively, and decided to relay the same events from his own perspective without offering justification or insight.
If you're hoping for any truly juicy drama or insights about the Russia investigation, forget it. Robert Mueller is mentioned exactly once - in a offhand way to take a swipe at Michael Wolff - and Jeff Sessions can't make an appearance without Sims fawning over what a deeply moral and courageous individual he is - a man he verbally fellates only second to Trump himself.
But probably the best summary of the entire book is how he handles James Comey's firing, which, needless to say, directly led to the appointment of Special Counsel Mueller. Keep in mind that Sims here is the DIRECTOR OF WHITE HOUSE MESSAGE STRATEGY. Like everyone else, he's blindsided when the firing happens, but he quickly whips up some basic Republican talking points to support the firing, and later tells Trump directly that Trump should trust his instincts.
So what happens after Trump's interview with Lester Holt where he directly contradicts the official story a mere two days later? What did the White House do? What did their Director of Message Strategy think about that? Well, we have no idea, since he immediately skips past it and never mentions it again for the entire rest of the book.
Turns out that much like Steve Bannon, Cliff Sims is also trying to suck his own cock.
March 15, 2019
Self aggrandizement. Sensation-junkie. BL..OOOO...DY....BORING! For the life of me couldn't finish this one.
May 30, 2019
DNF Do not waste your time. It appears Cliff Sims is hoping for a job after the White House horror is over. The book is uninteresting at best. I found myself jumping through chapters in the hope that the book would improve. Unfortunately not.
April 8, 2019
Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House by Cliff Sims is a book I picked up from the library. I am glad I didn't pay for it. I thought it would give some good insights into the craziness that goes on but I think I have learned more from the occasional whistle blower or leaker from the WH than stuff in this book.
The author's "jabs" at Trump are slight and often covered with some excuse. The first half of the book was all about defending him and why. It seems to be a book designed to lead the average liberal to buy this book. His jabs at Trump are made with cotton swabs.
The author's "jabs" at Trump are slight and often covered with some excuse. The first half of the book was all about defending him and why. It seems to be a book designed to lead the average liberal to buy this book. His jabs at Trump are made with cotton swabs.
Read
January 31, 2019I honestly don't think I can recommend giving this book your money, especially if you're a liberal/progressive spending on this solely to ratchet its standing up the bestseller lists as a symbolic up-yours to Trump. The author is in most ways still a Trump sympathizer, looking to make Trump look good. I disagree with a lot of his conclusions about the personality of the President. For example, at one point he says Trump's core personality trait is having 'Strong opinions, weakly held', which meant he was flexible on a lot of issues once he has heard the available information, in contrast, the author says, to genuine flip-floppers among professional politicians who adjust their political opinions based on popularity polls. The danger is that an ambivalent reader might find this sounds convincing, when actually it is not, and Trump is actually folksy charming, when he is not. First, he does hold rigid positions outside of trade and immigration, like on his ignorance on climate change. Second, he does flip-flop based on his popularity with his base, which is why he makes decisions that concur with what makes Ann Coulter or Fox&Friends happy. Third, he doesn't really read contrary information, like his daily briefings, or the IPCC climate report summary. Fourth, we really have to stop with this overwhelming fallacy where Trump is overall 'genuine' and opposing politicians are 'flpfloppers'. Oftentimes these are stereotypes that are not true and makes strawmen concerns that should not exist.
He threw in a lot of explanations (expiations?) and rationalizations for Trump like this. Another example: he says, why does Trump lie a lot, especially with his inauguration's attendance numbers? The author both refers back to Trump's book that takes braggadocio as an innocent method to make others dream big like you do. Furthermore, all the hyperbolic lying makes the media scramble to correct it, which only keeps him in the news. But the author doesn't attempt to condemn this.
This book doesn't even serve the pleasure of being written well, like 'Fire and Fury's flowery language. It's truly just drudge of the lowest order, where the author happily boasts that he and Hope Hicks are on such close texting terms that he only has to type a diamond emoji in place of her name in his contacts list. Yes he spends nearly a paragraph on this. The author's background is in tabloid journalism. Remember, he had the favor of Steve Bannon. According to his own book, he says he was among the responsible for writing the lies that went into the speeches of Trump and Sean Spicer. If asked I would say borrow this book instead of paying for it.
He threw in a lot of explanations (expiations?) and rationalizations for Trump like this. Another example: he says, why does Trump lie a lot, especially with his inauguration's attendance numbers? The author both refers back to Trump's book that takes braggadocio as an innocent method to make others dream big like you do. Furthermore, all the hyperbolic lying makes the media scramble to correct it, which only keeps him in the news. But the author doesn't attempt to condemn this.
This book doesn't even serve the pleasure of being written well, like 'Fire and Fury's flowery language. It's truly just drudge of the lowest order, where the author happily boasts that he and Hope Hicks are on such close texting terms that he only has to type a diamond emoji in place of her name in his contacts list. Yes he spends nearly a paragraph on this. The author's background is in tabloid journalism. Remember, he had the favor of Steve Bannon. According to his own book, he says he was among the responsible for writing the lies that went into the speeches of Trump and Sean Spicer. If asked I would say borrow this book instead of paying for it.
February 12, 2019
Lot of hypocrisy and nonsense from a conservative christian, son and grandson of ministers, who believes no matter how wicked Trump is, he’s better than Mrs Clinton. The author revels in Trump’s foulness, defending him at every turn, while paying fake service to his own twisted morals by not printing four letter words. Although some five letter words are all right, apparently.
Unfortunately people like Mr Cliff only seem to recognize one definition of “corrupt”, specifically the one that refers to politicians. Otherwise he might have had a more difficult time defending a lying adulterer who cheats clients and customers like they were his wives and puts personal gain ahead of all else. If Donald Trump isn’t corrupt the word has no meaning. But that’s not a convenient fact to face for a self-identified “christian” who would vote for literally anything except a Democrat or a woman.
So we get confused garbage books like this that I’m sorry I bothered to read.
Unfortunately people like Mr Cliff only seem to recognize one definition of “corrupt”, specifically the one that refers to politicians. Otherwise he might have had a more difficult time defending a lying adulterer who cheats clients and customers like they were his wives and puts personal gain ahead of all else. If Donald Trump isn’t corrupt the word has no meaning. But that’s not a convenient fact to face for a self-identified “christian” who would vote for literally anything except a Democrat or a woman.
So we get confused garbage books like this that I’m sorry I bothered to read.
January 31, 2019
I HAVE READ THE BOOK. I can’t even explain how dumb this book is. He had to go through 15 months in the Trump White House to learn some pretty basic and trite life-lessons? Cutthroat Washington surprised him? His most important event was when the Alabama football team came to the White House? Really? REALLY!? Look folks. Accounts of working in this banal administration have become horrendously banal.
I truly do not understand why POTUS is so angry about this book. It flatters, but does so honestly - the author truly appreciated his time at the White House and working for this president. While it is titled “Team of Vipers,” and he really, really hates John Kelly, nowhere does the author attempt to examine the man who put the team of vipers together. The staff of the West Wing didn’t just spontaneously appear. The president is in charge of his team. Period.
I don’t begrudge the author whatever he’s written. It’s simply that it’s pointless and unnecessary. I give myself zero stars for wasting my time by reading this beige-Camry of a book.
I truly do not understand why POTUS is so angry about this book. It flatters, but does so honestly - the author truly appreciated his time at the White House and working for this president. While it is titled “Team of Vipers,” and he really, really hates John Kelly, nowhere does the author attempt to examine the man who put the team of vipers together. The staff of the West Wing didn’t just spontaneously appear. The president is in charge of his team. Period.
I don’t begrudge the author whatever he’s written. It’s simply that it’s pointless and unnecessary. I give myself zero stars for wasting my time by reading this beige-Camry of a book.
January 29, 2019
Cliff Sims is a 20-something wonderkind from Alabama, where he was the CEO of a media company. In 2016, he had broken the story - complete with audio tapes - of the affair the state's governor, Robert Bentley had been having with his (much younger) assistant, Rebekah Mason. Bentley ultimately resigned/was pushed out of office. About the same time, Sims had had a radio interview with then-candidate Donald Trump that had gone well. A little later, he evinced interest in working for the Trump-for-President campaign, and an old friend, Senator Jeff Sessions, got him a job in the Trump campaign communications department. Sims moved to New York, where he worked for the campaign and then with the White House. This book, "Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House", is a story of his work with both the campaign and his time at the White House.
I haven't read many of the books which have come out since Donald Trump was inaugurated. I did buy the Woodward book last fall, but have not been interested enough - after all, we are living it - to buy anything more, til I saw this book. It's the story about Cliff Sims, the son and grandson of Alabama preachers, who build up a quasi-media empire in Alabama and ran with the big dogs of state politics. A conservative, who believed in the Republican mantras, Sims is a sophisticated young man who seemed to fit in to the Trump campaign mojo and moved to the White House, looking for more. He worked closely with the White House Communications department and left after about 18 months of service. How he was able to rationalise the work he was doing for the man who he was doing it for, while maintaining his basic morality, is the subtext to his book. The main text was, of course, the weirdness and bizarre actions of the Trump White House.
Cliff Sims is a good writer. He knows how to tell his story as he lived it, in plain terms. Sims doesn't stint on the details about the president and his staff, yet I was left with the feeling that Sims actually liked Donald Trump. And maybe even understood him a little. This is a good book.
I haven't read many of the books which have come out since Donald Trump was inaugurated. I did buy the Woodward book last fall, but have not been interested enough - after all, we are living it - to buy anything more, til I saw this book. It's the story about Cliff Sims, the son and grandson of Alabama preachers, who build up a quasi-media empire in Alabama and ran with the big dogs of state politics. A conservative, who believed in the Republican mantras, Sims is a sophisticated young man who seemed to fit in to the Trump campaign mojo and moved to the White House, looking for more. He worked closely with the White House Communications department and left after about 18 months of service. How he was able to rationalise the work he was doing for the man who he was doing it for, while maintaining his basic morality, is the subtext to his book. The main text was, of course, the weirdness and bizarre actions of the Trump White House.
Cliff Sims is a good writer. He knows how to tell his story as he lived it, in plain terms. Sims doesn't stint on the details about the president and his staff, yet I was left with the feeling that Sims actually liked Donald Trump. And maybe even understood him a little. This is a good book.
February 20, 2019
Meh. This is a mixed bag and not quite what I expected. If the author hates you, you're a viper. If he likes you or thought you were kind to him, you get a pass as a good person, even lying Sarah. At first it was fun to read, revisiting all those names now long gone from the WH scene, especially the background on Spicer's notorious presser about the size of the inauguration crowds :D
Then, lack of continuity dug in (editor, where are you?) and things bounced around from one period of time and set of circumstances to another and back again, with a fair amount of repetition.
Read with sing-song voice in mind
Sean Spicer to Mooch to Spicer again
From Rob Porter to the Tax Bill to early 2017 and God knows where else.
/sing-song voice, and the examples above are maybe only kind of accurate because I finished this a couple of days and its memory is fading quickly.
Oh, and be prepared to skip. The author provides lots of background on his own life (I didn't care) and his wife and what they ate for dinner last night (I didn't care) and on and on and on and on. Library only.
Then, lack of continuity dug in (editor, where are you?) and things bounced around from one period of time and set of circumstances to another and back again, with a fair amount of repetition.
Read with sing-song voice in mind
Sean Spicer to Mooch to Spicer again
From Rob Porter to the Tax Bill to early 2017 and God knows where else.
/sing-song voice, and the examples above are maybe only kind of accurate because I finished this a couple of days and its memory is fading quickly.
Oh, and be prepared to skip. The author provides lots of background on his own life (I didn't care) and his wife and what they ate for dinner last night (I didn't care) and on and on and on and on. Library only.
January 30, 2019
First of all, I'm no fan of Trump. My thoughts about the book are, inevitably, colored by that. The book is fun to read and a quick read, packed with anecdotes and the author's take on the WH personalities. It is by far the most flattering take on the current WH that I've seen, and the author's attempts to put some of these characters in a kindly or sympathetic light are heroic. He clearly has drunk the Kool-Aid and is a True Believer in the Republican platform.
His whitewashing of the vile nature of DT and his acolytes, however, simply defies reason. All of the quotes he attributes to DT must be right off of the scripts that he and others wrote, but they bear little to no resemblance to what we've all heard come out of DT's mouth. Remember, for example, John Kelly's shameful attacks on Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, following the deaths of 4 US troops in Niger? Well, according to Sims, Kelly was right about that and Wilson was using the tragedy to try to embarrass the WH. Really? Because almost nobody else had that take on it. Also, you can tell that Sims was so dazzled by Melania, Ivanka, Hope Hicks, and other women that he found attractive, that he thought everything they did and said was amazing, effective, and spot-on. While he did criticize Kelly later in the book, beginning with the Rob Porter mess, it seems as though Sims disliked Kelly more for personal reasons, including Kelly's attempt to discipline him for being a "troublemaker" of sorts.
His admiration for Trump seems to be utterly devoid of any attempt to place ultimate accountability for the viperous climate within the WH. Never does he describe or even allude to the extreme narcissism and petulance that's readily apparent to any casual observer of Trump. Hre seems utterly oblivious to the very real pain and suffering caused by Trump's idiotic actions, reactions, gaffes, and blunders, beyond the petty hurt feelings and backbiting within the snake pit.
With all that said, if you want to read a fluffy and interesting story of what Sims experienced at the WH, dive in. Just don't expect any hard looks at the damage and destruction that happens as a result of the middle-school mean girl crap that happens.
His whitewashing of the vile nature of DT and his acolytes, however, simply defies reason. All of the quotes he attributes to DT must be right off of the scripts that he and others wrote, but they bear little to no resemblance to what we've all heard come out of DT's mouth. Remember, for example, John Kelly's shameful attacks on Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, following the deaths of 4 US troops in Niger? Well, according to Sims, Kelly was right about that and Wilson was using the tragedy to try to embarrass the WH. Really? Because almost nobody else had that take on it. Also, you can tell that Sims was so dazzled by Melania, Ivanka, Hope Hicks, and other women that he found attractive, that he thought everything they did and said was amazing, effective, and spot-on. While he did criticize Kelly later in the book, beginning with the Rob Porter mess, it seems as though Sims disliked Kelly more for personal reasons, including Kelly's attempt to discipline him for being a "troublemaker" of sorts.
His admiration for Trump seems to be utterly devoid of any attempt to place ultimate accountability for the viperous climate within the WH. Never does he describe or even allude to the extreme narcissism and petulance that's readily apparent to any casual observer of Trump. Hre seems utterly oblivious to the very real pain and suffering caused by Trump's idiotic actions, reactions, gaffes, and blunders, beyond the petty hurt feelings and backbiting within the snake pit.
With all that said, if you want to read a fluffy and interesting story of what Sims experienced at the WH, dive in. Just don't expect any hard looks at the damage and destruction that happens as a result of the middle-school mean girl crap that happens.
March 10, 2019
I can't stand this author. He had his reasons for working for Trump, and his goals are opposed to mine for the country. He is a rightwing religious freak who supported Trump's agenda and is happy about Trump's accomplishments that I can't stand.
However, this book to some degree humanized the author for me as I heard about the backstabbing environment he was immersed in at the White House. And he is not easy on himself. He recognized that he became one of the vengeful backstabbers who conspired and betrayed people. So I give him credit for that honesty.
Where I don't give him credit is when he cherry picks details. As someone who follows the news, I knew when he was manipulatively leaving out such things as when he describes Kelly's touching speech about his son's death -- but leaves out that Kelly also attacked a congresswoman with false information in that speech. Interestingly, it's clear that the author dislikes Kelly, so I'm not sure why he left out the dark side of that speech that made Kelly look bad.
This is the definitive account of Cliff Sims's time in the White House, but not the definitive account of the Trump White House. Nonetheless, I think it's worth reading to get an insider's account of the mess that is the Trump Administration.
However, this book to some degree humanized the author for me as I heard about the backstabbing environment he was immersed in at the White House. And he is not easy on himself. He recognized that he became one of the vengeful backstabbers who conspired and betrayed people. So I give him credit for that honesty.
Where I don't give him credit is when he cherry picks details. As someone who follows the news, I knew when he was manipulatively leaving out such things as when he describes Kelly's touching speech about his son's death -- but leaves out that Kelly also attacked a congresswoman with false information in that speech. Interestingly, it's clear that the author dislikes Kelly, so I'm not sure why he left out the dark side of that speech that made Kelly look bad.
This is the definitive account of Cliff Sims's time in the White House, but not the definitive account of the Trump White House. Nonetheless, I think it's worth reading to get an insider's account of the mess that is the Trump Administration.
February 2, 2019
IT’s ALL ABOUT ME
This is , perhaps, one of the oddest books I’ve ever read. Hardly being a Trump fan, I was looking forward to details about Trump’s daily maneuvers. Cliff Sims makes him into a god. He’s also a prime example of a know it all. Some how the author ingratiated himself into every West Wing event. I’m not at all sure what the guy did in the White House other than tell people how they were doing their job wrong. He somehow screwed up and got booted from the WH. He portrayed the place as a circus with no leadership. Sims particularly dislikes John Kelly and dishes on his ineptness.
I also got tired of the football metaphors and if I hear one more anecdote about Alabama, I will be ill.
I want my money back. I want to take a shower, I want Trump out of the WH. SAVE YOUR MONEY!
This is , perhaps, one of the oddest books I’ve ever read. Hardly being a Trump fan, I was looking forward to details about Trump’s daily maneuvers. Cliff Sims makes him into a god. He’s also a prime example of a know it all. Some how the author ingratiated himself into every West Wing event. I’m not at all sure what the guy did in the White House other than tell people how they were doing their job wrong. He somehow screwed up and got booted from the WH. He portrayed the place as a circus with no leadership. Sims particularly dislikes John Kelly and dishes on his ineptness.
I also got tired of the football metaphors and if I hear one more anecdote about Alabama, I will be ill.
I want my money back. I want to take a shower, I want Trump out of the WH. SAVE YOUR MONEY!
January 30, 2019
A REVIEW FROM SOMEONE WHO'S ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK!
I pre-ordered this, and pretty much devoured it over the course of last night and this morning (allowing for a few hours of sleep). I wanted to read the tell all written by someone who supports Trump and his platform, and was willing to be honest about his experiences no matter how that honesty might be interpreted.
Reading Team of Vipers was difficult, primarily because I have a very low tolerance for bullshit, like people making excuses to themselves why voting for a man like Trump - pretty much the antithesis of these christian, family values everyone keeps telling me about - is a good, moral, and religiously right thing to do. Every time the excuses or conspiracy theories came up, I just wanted to smack the author upside the head. You're an investigative journalist, so act like it! Evidence is important not just when it hurts rivals, but also when it exposes flaws in your own reasoning that you should address.
At the same time, Sims has earned my grudging respect. He's published his experience and put his name on it, for good or ill. He was remarkably respectful in addressing dissenting opinions (with the exception of anything to do with HRC, where his conspiracy theory fueled dislike gets the better of him), such as religious people who decided not to support Trump (though he neglects to mention that they outnumbered by religious Trump supporters). Sims' point of view fills in some blanks where other exposes and memoirs have not reached, and does an admirable job of at least trying to be fair in coverage of both Trump's faults and strengths (although on the latter I think he is a bit too gracious).
Team of Vipers wasn't a horrible book, though it's probably not something I would have picked up if I wasn't interested in the Trump administration. It is a book that I would recommend, especially to readers who are more skeptical of portrayals of that come from mainstream investigative journalists (like Bob Woodward's Fear: Trump in the White House).
I pre-ordered this, and pretty much devoured it over the course of last night and this morning (allowing for a few hours of sleep). I wanted to read the tell all written by someone who supports Trump and his platform, and was willing to be honest about his experiences no matter how that honesty might be interpreted.
Reading Team of Vipers was difficult, primarily because I have a very low tolerance for bullshit, like people making excuses to themselves why voting for a man like Trump - pretty much the antithesis of these christian, family values everyone keeps telling me about - is a good, moral, and religiously right thing to do. Every time the excuses or conspiracy theories came up, I just wanted to smack the author upside the head. You're an investigative journalist, so act like it! Evidence is important not just when it hurts rivals, but also when it exposes flaws in your own reasoning that you should address.
At the same time, Sims has earned my grudging respect. He's published his experience and put his name on it, for good or ill. He was remarkably respectful in addressing dissenting opinions (with the exception of anything to do with HRC, where his conspiracy theory fueled dislike gets the better of him), such as religious people who decided not to support Trump (though he neglects to mention that they outnumbered by religious Trump supporters). Sims' point of view fills in some blanks where other exposes and memoirs have not reached, and does an admirable job of at least trying to be fair in coverage of both Trump's faults and strengths (although on the latter I think he is a bit too gracious).
Team of Vipers wasn't a horrible book, though it's probably not something I would have picked up if I wasn't interested in the Trump administration. It is a book that I would recommend, especially to readers who are more skeptical of portrayals of that come from mainstream investigative journalists (like Bob Woodward's Fear: Trump in the White House).
February 1, 2019
While there are some interesting ground-level tidbits from this book, I will admit to feeling dirty after buying and reading it. Sims is so self-serving in his account that it's hard to take him seriously. It's clear from some of his stories that he was a prime leaker to the press corps; the conversation where John Kelly says this is the worst job he's had is a one-on-one with Sims, for instance. But more damningly, he inadvertently reveals substantial weaknesses about this White House while feigning a defense. The staff are predominantly very young and inexperienced, which he passes off with a thin "private sector experience is better" (which ignores that LITTLE experience, whether it's private or public sector, means someone is ill prepared for a very demanding job). Every woman who works at the White House, save for Sarah Sanders, is described according to her physical attractiveness (does he even recognize the benign sexism in action? I doubt it). Most pathetically, he attempts to defend the President as a genius who is open to changing his mind on new information, but the issue on which he bases this claim (Trump's reversal on tariffs) is clearly presented as Trump having had no information, simply a slogan, and then reversing himself when being presented facts. Given that Sims then concludes by affirming his belief in a deep state, an angry mob on the left, and a fake news media, the whole thing is pretty depressing, which is unredeemed by the few gossipy nuggets I hadn't already known.
January 30, 2019
I actually read the book and this is what it is:
The author is a Conservative Republican who is cool with all of the administration’s agenda, and when Trump’s deportment crosses his Christian values, he consoles himself that it’s better than Hillary being president. He continues to justify his role in the palace intrigue as for the greater moral good of maintaining Republican leadership, until they turn on him. Then they’re vipers. Once he’s sacked, he is able to look inward and atone.
There are a few good inside anecdotes but we all knew who Trump is so no new ground broken here.
Also, Ivanka and Hope Hicks are hot
He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
The author is a Conservative Republican who is cool with all of the administration’s agenda, and when Trump’s deportment crosses his Christian values, he consoles himself that it’s better than Hillary being president. He continues to justify his role in the palace intrigue as for the greater moral good of maintaining Republican leadership, until they turn on him. Then they’re vipers. Once he’s sacked, he is able to look inward and atone.
There are a few good inside anecdotes but we all knew who Trump is so no new ground broken here.
Also, Ivanka and Hope Hicks are hot
He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
February 12, 2019
DNF. I just couldn't with this one. I love dishy anecdotes about the Trump administration (why not take what amusement I can from this otherwise soul-crushing era we're living in?), but this guy was just too all-in on Republican values for me to listen to for 14+ hours. I liked Omarosa's book even though she was clearly a self-serving opportunist, but she wasn't blabbing at me about how she really hoped the obvious bs about Trump's faith and pro-life values was true. The author is conservative to the point where curse words are bleeped out to protect our delicate sensibilities 🙄🙄🙄
February 8, 2019
Right wing theocrat who has no problem ripping babies from their moms and separating them in kids prisons on the border has gripes with a douche bag of a President because he was unceremoniously blocked from a move out of the white house to the dept of State amn then basically fired from the White House job by Chief of Staff Kelly, who is made to look like an even bigger a-hole then Trump, which is remarkable. The book is full of stories taking jabs at Trump and those around him. Its forgettable and a money grab. The latter I can forgive because its all about that. Its mediocre in its prose, and its one giant gripe session written for the right and no one else. Hard to feel bad for the author who conveniently ignores the moral bankruptcy of the man in the white house, the Russia inquiry, and other stuff that on the whole makes this book not a statement of the moment but a thesis on why Trump hurt me, why I was treated unfairly, and here's some juicy tidbits to move product. Pass on this.
February 8, 2019
Can't remember reading a book by an author quite so self-delusional. He puts words in Individual #1's mouth that do not fit. Eloquent, articulate words of self-praise. Sims thinks he's writing about how I#1 was betrayed by the vipers around him...and he occasionally dips into a bit of self-reflection...but he shows an I#1 who gleefully set people up to argue and rage, who played favorites, who mocked sincere effort and sincere people.
As much of a love-letter to I#1, the book also idolizes Jeff Sessions.
At the end of the day, the book has no lessons, no insight. No reflection.
BUT I did learn that two of the WH's most trusted journalists are two I really like too: Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman.
Sims does his best to trash the reputation of Bob Woodward in writing his own book. This one was petty...it felt more like junior high cafeterias than the White House.
As much of a love-letter to I#1, the book also idolizes Jeff Sessions.
At the end of the day, the book has no lessons, no insight. No reflection.
BUT I did learn that two of the WH's most trusted journalists are two I really like too: Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman.
Sims does his best to trash the reputation of Bob Woodward in writing his own book. This one was petty...it felt more like junior high cafeterias than the White House.
February 15, 2019
Whether you love Trump or hate him, don't waste your time reading this book, its only redeeming value is that it brings us together, makes everyone's blood boil, regardless of political affiliations. If you do read it, you might take some anti-nausea medication; this man is agnostic in that he sickens all.
Cliff Sim tip toes around the betrayal of his Christian values for access to power and personal gain, and his use of God given talents to enable and promote, inarguably, the most immoral President in our history. When the vipers he laid down with inevitibly viciously bit him, he was shocked and dismayed. Doubling down down on the art of betrayal, instead of quietly contemplating the consequences of teaming with the Devil, Sims, in exchange for the Biblical 30 pieces of silver, writes a self-serving book betraying his once beloved leader, while, at the same time staunchly defending him and of course himself. I wonder if he skipped that worrisome part of the Bible that speaks of Judas. One can't have it both ways, and this was a pathetic attempt to do just that. He offends all.
Postscript: Trump just sued Sims over the nondisclosure agreement Trump forces all his top staffers to sign. Now liberals and the ACLU that I'm sure Cliff reviles will defend him along with all government employees. Trump seems to forget that they are paid with public funds, not by him personally. Barring national security or significant privacy concerns, government employees should be able to tell us, their employers, their experiences. It's called freedom of speech. I wonder if Jesus insisted on NDA's for his disciples.
Cliff Sim tip toes around the betrayal of his Christian values for access to power and personal gain, and his use of God given talents to enable and promote, inarguably, the most immoral President in our history. When the vipers he laid down with inevitibly viciously bit him, he was shocked and dismayed. Doubling down down on the art of betrayal, instead of quietly contemplating the consequences of teaming with the Devil, Sims, in exchange for the Biblical 30 pieces of silver, writes a self-serving book betraying his once beloved leader, while, at the same time staunchly defending him and of course himself. I wonder if he skipped that worrisome part of the Bible that speaks of Judas. One can't have it both ways, and this was a pathetic attempt to do just that. He offends all.
Postscript: Trump just sued Sims over the nondisclosure agreement Trump forces all his top staffers to sign. Now liberals and the ACLU that I'm sure Cliff reviles will defend him along with all government employees. Trump seems to forget that they are paid with public funds, not by him personally. Barring national security or significant privacy concerns, government employees should be able to tell us, their employers, their experiences. It's called freedom of speech. I wonder if Jesus insisted on NDA's for his disciples.
February 23, 2019
Trump White House staffer is shocked at all the leaking and backstabbing that went on. Also reflects that, come to think of it, he may have done a lot of leaking and backstabbing.
This book was marketed as an addition to the new literary genre that emerged after Trump took office. A postcard from the Trumpocalypse if you will. But it's really more of a vehicle for getting in digs at co-workers while recounting petty staff squabbles. There is some rationalizing about supporting a flawed president, but the author doesn't actually disagree with Trump about much. His lack of self-awareness may have helped him survive the Trump administration, but it makes for a fairly lackluster book.
This book was marketed as an addition to the new literary genre that emerged after Trump took office. A postcard from the Trumpocalypse if you will. But it's really more of a vehicle for getting in digs at co-workers while recounting petty staff squabbles. There is some rationalizing about supporting a flawed president, but the author doesn't actually disagree with Trump about much. His lack of self-awareness may have helped him survive the Trump administration, but it makes for a fairly lackluster book.
January 29, 2019
Saw the interview with Cliff Sims on Morning Joe. He comes off as genuine and has a very interesting point of view. I just want to understand the persona that Trump puts out and the machine behind it.
February 9, 2019
I’ll admit I read this book because I dislike Trump and wanted to be able to laugh about the discord behind the scenes. Not exactly a laudable motivation, but there it is. If you’re like me, this is not worth your time. Honestly, I don’t know that this is worth ANYONE’S time. Sims grapples with pointing out how terrible the White House Team is while trying to make himself sound good and Trump sound like a winner. He does not pull it off. He paints himself as in over his head, bumbling, and without an effective moral compass. I had to laugh to keep from throwing the book when Sims describes Trump wandering out of a meeting and then meandering back in like it never happened and Sims comes to this conclusion: “WHAT A POWER MOVE.”
February 1, 2019
Very interesting details on the corruption of the White House office handling security clearances. Totally venal and incompetent. Author sees the utter disaster of the two plus years of Trump wreckage, but blames everyone but Trump. This is the sad story of a MAGA true believer, who can't see the abcess at the center of the cult. Everything that makes his hero unfit to be the POTUS seems like a virtue to this synchophant. Even when Trump screws him and throws him under the bus, he can't see how ghastly the Orange Peacock treats everyone and everything.
Shelved as 'maybe'
February 5, 2019
November 16, 2020
A middling account of a White House aid who was fired for taping a meeting with the president by Chief of Staff John Kelly. He played the tape to other officials. Soms is definitely a Republican who would side with Trump. He has no insight about people in need etc. The book does outline the people in the White House as people. Final Yrumo didn’t care about much but he loved redecorating the White House and knows a lot about good building materials. The getting rid of Obamacare is because it’s about Obama, Trump did question about whether it should be gotten rid of. Kellyanne is the leaker to the news media. Bannon tried to war against Kushner and Ivanka and he lost. Trump’s obsession with kneeling during the anthem was about showing weakness. He envisioned the Democrats putting up a weak kneeler fir a candidate in 2020 and looked forward to blowing the weak person away. As Biden won, he’s trying to get bullies to make him go away I suppose.
March 9, 2019
I really don’t know where to go with this book. One the one hand it’s a well told tale of the utterly toxic environment that exists in this White House these days, on the other it’s a nauseatingly kiss-ass tell-all that never addresses the real problem at the heart of this situation: the total lack of leadership that exists at the top.
Sims is a man who claims to be a Christian but has little to nothing good to say about anyone. Admittedly he was surrounded by one of the worst group of back-stabbing, hypocritical and vicious people I have ever read about but he is no innocent either. While excoriating anyone who doesn’t 100% agree with their agenda (and name-calling every single Democrat he encounters – clearly in this regime’s mind the Democrats are all, without exception, evil and aggrandizing) Sims is so precious he can’t even bring himself to spell out the word “Damn” as part of a reported conversation.
No policy is critiqued or even criticised, except the one about immigration. Sims describes how he spent time in Syria meeting people who had to deal with the appalling regime over there and coming to understand that the vast majority of refugees fleeing the Middle East are genuinely warm and kind human beings who are just trying to save their families from being slaughtered. When Trump’s house White House decides to implement the Muslim Ban and utterly refuses to consider any exceptions (because of course all refugees are terrorists) Sims is apparently torn between his loyalty to the president and his personal knowledge and experiences, but he does nothing to convince his colleagues, let alone Trump, that they might be wrong.
As Sims watches one staff member after another crash and burn (Spicer, Scaramucci, Priebus, Bannon, Hope Hicks) Sims comes to realise that there is no such thing as loyalty in the White House. Sims’ subsequent move to a new position in another department was deliberately sabotaged by former colleagues – a move that he witnessed over and over during his tenure. He also witnessed one colleague after another compromise their integrity in order to keep their jobs and yet never seemed to learn from their example. Meeting Anthony Scaramucci months after his firing, Scaramucci apparently told Sims that losing that job was the best thing that happened to him as he had been in very serious danger of losing everything else that was truly important (his wife and kids). Sadly, it took Sims several more months to understand what he was talking about.
The depressing thing about this book is that Sims tries so hard to criticize the thoughtlessness, arrogance, hubris and utter lack of loyalty amongst his colleagues, but instead ends up making excuses for everyone, including himself. He had no understanding of the damage done to millions of people as a result of the policies he helped build. Sims also has zero understanding of his own complicity. I can’t decide if he genuinely doesn’t get the level of his contribution to the environment that now exists in Washington, the lack of trust and credibility that is a direct result of the cluster-fuckery during the past 2 years, or if he’s managed to bury his head so far in the sand he can’t even hear his conscience any more. Toward the end of the book Sims states, “He hadn’t lifted a finger for countless loyal aides before me, and I’m sure he wouldn’t for countless loyal aides to come. It was well known that in Trump World, loyalty mostly a one-way street.” Followed one chapter later by, “. . . in spite of all the frustrations and misgivings laid out in this book, I’m proud that the president I served was Donald Trump.” That total lack of insight really says it all.
Sims is a man who claims to be a Christian but has little to nothing good to say about anyone. Admittedly he was surrounded by one of the worst group of back-stabbing, hypocritical and vicious people I have ever read about but he is no innocent either. While excoriating anyone who doesn’t 100% agree with their agenda (and name-calling every single Democrat he encounters – clearly in this regime’s mind the Democrats are all, without exception, evil and aggrandizing) Sims is so precious he can’t even bring himself to spell out the word “Damn” as part of a reported conversation.
No policy is critiqued or even criticised, except the one about immigration. Sims describes how he spent time in Syria meeting people who had to deal with the appalling regime over there and coming to understand that the vast majority of refugees fleeing the Middle East are genuinely warm and kind human beings who are just trying to save their families from being slaughtered. When Trump’s house White House decides to implement the Muslim Ban and utterly refuses to consider any exceptions (because of course all refugees are terrorists) Sims is apparently torn between his loyalty to the president and his personal knowledge and experiences, but he does nothing to convince his colleagues, let alone Trump, that they might be wrong.
As Sims watches one staff member after another crash and burn (Spicer, Scaramucci, Priebus, Bannon, Hope Hicks) Sims comes to realise that there is no such thing as loyalty in the White House. Sims’ subsequent move to a new position in another department was deliberately sabotaged by former colleagues – a move that he witnessed over and over during his tenure. He also witnessed one colleague after another compromise their integrity in order to keep their jobs and yet never seemed to learn from their example. Meeting Anthony Scaramucci months after his firing, Scaramucci apparently told Sims that losing that job was the best thing that happened to him as he had been in very serious danger of losing everything else that was truly important (his wife and kids). Sadly, it took Sims several more months to understand what he was talking about.
The depressing thing about this book is that Sims tries so hard to criticize the thoughtlessness, arrogance, hubris and utter lack of loyalty amongst his colleagues, but instead ends up making excuses for everyone, including himself. He had no understanding of the damage done to millions of people as a result of the policies he helped build. Sims also has zero understanding of his own complicity. I can’t decide if he genuinely doesn’t get the level of his contribution to the environment that now exists in Washington, the lack of trust and credibility that is a direct result of the cluster-fuckery during the past 2 years, or if he’s managed to bury his head so far in the sand he can’t even hear his conscience any more. Toward the end of the book Sims states, “He hadn’t lifted a finger for countless loyal aides before me, and I’m sure he wouldn’t for countless loyal aides to come. It was well known that in Trump World, loyalty mostly a one-way street.” Followed one chapter later by, “. . . in spite of all the frustrations and misgivings laid out in this book, I’m proud that the president I served was Donald Trump.” That total lack of insight really says it all.
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