Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America (2022) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The book contains no overt sexual scenes but mentions real-world allegations of infidelity, including the tabloid-heavy coverage of Trump's divorce from Ivana and his relationship with Marla Maples. It details various lawsuits involving sexual misconduct and legal battles with figures like Stormy Daniels and E. Jean Carroll. Haberman describes many instances of crude, sexist comments made by Trump and his associates regarding women's appearances, ranging from pageant contestants to his own staff. These…

Physical violence is mostly absent from the narrative, though the book details the January 6th Capitol riot and specific threats of political violence directed at public officials. Haberman describes the physical skirmishes at the Capitol and the verbal calls for harm against figures like Mike Pence. It also covers Trump's fascination with 'strongman' tactics and descriptions of verbal bullying used as a psychological tool to intimidate rivals. There are mentions of aggressive police tactics and the visual…

Strong language is frequent and pervasive, reflecting the verbatim speech of political figures and staffers recorded during interviews. This includes multiple 'f-bombs' used in the heat of anger or as a casual descriptor in the high-stakes environments of real estate and the West Wing. Other profanities such as 'sh*thole', 'b*stard', and the vulgar terms found in the Access Hollywood tape are quoted to show the reality of the subjects' vernacular. The text does not use these words for shock value but rather to…

Minimal mentions of alcohol use are found throughout the book, typically occurring at political fundraisers, galas, or social events at Mar-a-Lago. Trump's own teetotalism is frequently noted as a defining character trait, often contrasted with the behavior of those around him. There are brief, non-graphic references to others' drug use or personal struggles within his social circles as reported by the press. The text does not glamorize substance use, instead focusing on the professional and social dynamics of the…

Major themes include the nature of truth versus 'alternative facts,' the transactional nature of power, and the degradation of democratic norms. Haberman explores the 'survival-at-all-costs' mentality that Trump developed in New York and brought to the White House. Racial tensions are a recurring theme, starting with the Central Park Five case and continuing through the Charlottesville protests and the Black Lives Matter movement. The book also examines the concept of loyalty as a one-way street and the…