H.R. McMaster on 13 months working for Trump

Summary

In this in-depth interview, former National Security Advisor HR McMaster reflects on his tenure under President Trump. He discusses the challenges of serving in a White House marked by friction, competitive sycophancy, and a president who often sought flattery over advice. McMaster details Trump's disruptive approach to foreign policy, his uneasy relationship with other administration officials, and his affinity for authoritarian leaders. The interview also touches on the president's contrarian nature and the impact of his actions on the nation's security and democratic principles.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ HR McMaster served as National Security Adviser for President Trump for 13 months before being fired.
• 🤔 McMaster faced criticism and warnings from others about serving under Trump, fearing it would damage his reputation.
• 🔥 He describes the White House environment as highly competitive and filled with 'competitive sycophancy'.
• 🗣️ Trump preferred a large audience for briefings, which McMaster found ineffective for the president.
• 🎭 The president sought both advice and flattery, showing a penchant for adulation from his base and those around him.
• 🛡️ McMaster aimed to disrupt what he saw as weak foreign policies from the Obama era.
• 🌍 Trump's disruptive approach was evident at his first NATO Summit, where he threatened to withhold defense from countries not paying 'dues'.
• 🤝 Relations between McMaster, Secretary of State Tillerson, and Secretary of Defense Mattis were strained and at times difficult.
• 🕊️ McMaster did not view Trump as dangerous, but was uneasy about the president's affinity for authoritarian leaders.
• 🎲 Trump could be contrarian, often doing the opposite of what was advised if he felt everyone agreed on a course of action.
• 📉 The script highlights instances where Trump's actions led to the departure of senior staff, either through firing or resignation.
• 🗳️ McMaster does not state his voting intentions but provides insights into his experiences that may influence perceptions of a potential second Trump term.

Q & A

How many individuals served as National Security Adviser during Donald Trump's presidency?

Four different men served as National Security Adviser during Donald Trump's presidency.

Who was one of the individuals named as National Security Adviser by President Trump?

US Army Lieutenant General HR McMaster was named as National Security Adviser by President Trump.

What was the duration of HR McMaster's service as National Security Adviser?

HR McMaster served as National Security Adviser for 13 months.

What was HR McMaster's perspective on his dismissal by President Trump?

McMaster stated that he was at peace with his dismissal and did not try to keep his job by telling the president what he wanted to hear.

How did HR McMaster describe the environment in the White House during his tenure?

McMaster described the environment as one of competitive sycophancy, with everything being amplified to a higher level.

What was McMaster's impression of President Trump's approach to the Presidential Daily Brief?

McMaster felt the Presidential Daily Brief was not very effective for President Trump, who preferred a larger audience and seemed to enjoy the adulation.

What was HR McMaster's view on President Trump's foreign policy?

McMaster saw many of the existing policies as in need of disruption and appreciated the president's disruptive nature.

What incident did HR McMaster describe regarding President Trump's speech at the NATO Summit?

McMaster mentioned an incident where Trump made last-minute changes to his speech, threatening to not defend countries that didn't pay their dues, which led to an intervention by McMaster, Secretary Tillerson, and Secretary Mattis.

How did HR McMaster characterize the relationship between President Trump and other key administration officials?

McMaster described the relationship as less than harmonious and difficult at times, with officials viewing Trump as a danger to U.S. interests and relationships internationally.

What was HR McMaster's concern regarding President Trump's affinity for authoritarian leaders?

McMaster was uneasy about Trump's affinity for autocrats, particularly noting how Vladimir Putin would appeal to Trump's desire for flattery and skepticism about long-term military commitments.

How did HR McMaster describe President Trump's behavior when receiving advice?

McMaster noted that Trump could be reflexively contrarian, often doing the opposite of what was advised if he felt everyone agreed on a particular course of action.

What was the context of HR McMaster's departure from the Trump administration?

McMaster's departure came after a phone call with Turkey's President Erdogan, during which he tried to prep Trump, who found preparation tedious. McMaster decided to quit but was fired first.

What was HR McMaster's reaction to the events of January 6th, as described in the script?

McMaster viewed the events of January 6th as an attack on the first branch of government and the peaceful transition of power, and considered it an abandonment of responsibilities to the Constitution.

What does HR McMaster suggest about a potential second Trump Administration?

McMaster implies that history may rhyme, suggesting that his experiences in the first Trump Administration could foreshadow what might be expected in a second term.