Donald Trump’s Reading List: Insights into His Interests and Worldview

From political memoirs to presidential biographies, Donald Trump’s reading list offers a fascinating glimpse into his interests and worldview. However, the lack of exposure to profound philosophical thinkers like Hegel and Nietzsche raises questions about his intellectual engagement with critical perspectives.

Why Reading Matters for Policy-Makers

Philosophers like Hegel and Nietzsche serve as catalysts for critical thinking and self-reflection. They challenge existing beliefs and encourage questioning, which is crucial for policy-makers seeking to understand the complexities of the world. In contrast, Trump’s book list reveals a preference for material that aligns with his interests and worldview rather than fostering a broad and deep understanding of the human and political condition.

Donald Trump and His Reading Habits

According to David Graham, writing in The Atlantic, Trump not only lacks time but a genuine interest in reading. Michael Wolff, in New York magazine, describes a president who ‘didn’t process information in any conventional sense... He didn’t read. He didn’t really even skim.’ This statement suggests a limited intellectual engagement, undermining the notion that a president should be well-versed in a variety of subjects to effectively govern.

What Books Has Trump Recommended?

The 2019 List:

Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency by Andrew C. McCarthy The Case Against Socialism by Rand Paul The Case for Nationalism: How It Made Us Powerful, United, and Free by Rich Lowry The Case for Trump by Victor Davis Hanson Choosing the Extraordinary Life: God’s 7 Secrets for Success and Significance by Robert Jeffress Deep State Target: How I Got Caught in the Crosshairs of the Plot to Bring Down President Trump by George Papadopoulos Exonerated: The Failed Takedown of President Donald Trump by the Swamp by Dan Bongino Game of Thorns: The Inside Story of Hillary Clinton’s Failed Campaign and Donald Trump’s Winning Strategy by Doug Wead The Harder You Work the Luckier You Get by Joe Ricketts Inside Trump’s White House: The Real Story of His Presidency by Doug Wead Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court by Mollie Hemingway and Carrie Severino Our Lost Declaration: America’s Fight Against Tyranny From King George to the Deep State by Mike Lee Palamo Wants to Be Lady Freedom by Rachel Campos-Duffy The Plot Against the President: The True Story of How Congressman Devin Nunes Uncovered the Biggest Scandal in U.S. History by Lee Smith Power Grab: The Liberal Scheme to Undermine Trump the GOP and Our Republic by Jason Chaffetz Radicals Resistance and Revenge: The Left’s Plot to Remake America by Jeanine Pirro The Real Deal: My Decade Fighting Battles and Winning Wars With Trump by George A. Sorial and Damian Bates Rebuilding Sergeant Peck: How I Put Body and Soul Back Together After Afghanistan by John Peck Dava Guerin and Terry Bivens Resistance At All Costs: How Trump Haters Are Breaking America by Kimberley Strassel Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour of Arlington National Cemetery by Tom Cotton Still Winning: Why America Went All In on Donald Trump—and Why We Must Do It Again by Charles Hurt Taken for Granted: How Conservatism Can Win Back the Americans That Liberalism Failed by Gianno Caldwell Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us by Donald Trump Jr. Unfreedom of the Press by Mark R. Levin What Really Happened: How Donald J. Trump Saved America From Hillary Clinton by Howie Carr Why We Fight: Defeating America’s Enemies—With No Apologies by Sebastian Gorka Witch Hunt: The Story of the Greatest Mass Delusion in American Political History by Gregg Jarrett by Nikki R. Haley

The 2018 List:

The Faith of Donald J Trump: A Spiritual Biography by David Brody and Scott Lamb Trumponomics: Inside the America First Plan to Revive Our Economy by Stephen Moore and Arthur B Laffer PhD The Russia Hoax: The Illicit Scheme to Clear Hillary Clinton and Frame Donald Trump by Gregg Jarrett Liars Leakers and Liberals by Judge Jeanine Pirro Why We Fight by Sebastian Gorka The Case for Trump by Victor Davis Hanson (2019 edition) Mad Politics: Keeping Your Sanity in a World Gone Crazy by Gina Loudon Ship of Fools by Tucker Carlson The Great Revolt by Salena Zito and Brad Todd The Briefing: Politics the Press and the President by Sean Spicer

The Skepticism Surrounding Trump’s Reading List

While Trump has recommended a plethora of books, several of these titles reflect his own worldview or aim to serve his political interests, rather than promoting broader philosophical or critical thinking. For example, Michael Wolff’s assertion that Trump didn’t read or even skim through books further casts doubt on the depth of his intellectual engagement.

It's noteworthy that despite his claim of having read Hitler’s speeches, Trump has denied actually doing so, which adds another layer of skepticism to his claims of reading material that might challenge his views.

Conclusion: The Need for Diverse Intellectual Engagement

As leaders and policymakers, individuals owe it to the public to have a well-rounded understanding of various perspectives. Philosophical works, such as those by Hegel and Nietzsche, offer critical insights that can enrich one’s outlook beyond personal interests. Trump’s limited exposure to such works and his preference for books that align with his worldview raises questions about the depth of his intellectual engagement and the implications for governance and decision-making.