Trump almost fired Ivanka and Jared Kushner via tweet, per new book


Former President Donald Trump nearly fired his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and his and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, from their roles as senior White House aides via tweet, according to a new book from New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman.
Haberman's book details how Trump floated the dismissal idea to then-Chief of Staff John Kelly and then-White House counsel Don McGahn, Insider and CNN report. As Trump was about to send out the tweet, Kelly stopped him and advised Trump to speak to Jared and Ivanka directly instead. But the president never did, and both remained in their positions throughout his presidency.
Trump has a history of firing people with tweets. In 2018, he fired former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson through a tweet, and replaced him with then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo. And in 2020, the former president fired former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper through Twitter, as well. Trump was banned from Twitter in 2021.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Haberman's book, titled Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America, details the behind-the-scenes drama of Trump's presidency, as well as his rise in the real estate industry, CNN reports. Haberman interviewed over 250 people to get a clear picture of the president. The book will be released on Oct. 4.
"While coastal elites obsess over boring books chock-full of anonymously-sourced mistruths, America is a nation in decline," Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich said of Haberman's book. "President Trump is focused on saving America, and there's nothing the fake news can do about it."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
Will Donald Trump’s second state visit be a diplomatic disaster?
Today's Big Question Charlie Kirk shooting, Saturday’s far-right rally and continued Jeffrey Epstein fallout ramps-up risks of already fraught trip
-
England’s ‘dysfunctional’ children’s care system
In the Spotlight A new report reveals that protection of youngsters in care in England is failing in a profit-chasing sector
-
Cider farms to visit this autumn
The Week Recommends With harvest season fast approaching, spend an afternoon at one of these idyllic orchards
-
Will Donald Trump’s second state visit be a diplomatic disaster?
Today's Big Question Charlie Kirk shooting, Saturday’s far-right rally and continued Jeffrey Epstein fallout ramps-up risks of already fraught trip
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
Calls for both calm and consequences follow Kirk killing
TALKING POINTS The suspected assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk has some public figures pleading for restraint, while others agitate for violent reprisals
-
Why does Donald Trump keep showing up at major sporting events?
Today's Big Question Trump has appeared at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and other events
-
‘Democracy is under threat globally’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud