In "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," Michael Wolff suggests that Donald Trump had a distorted perception of his own power and abilities. He believed he wielded greater authority and control than he actually did, which impacted his effectiveness as a leader. This misconception extended to his confidence in manipulating others, leading to a disconnect between his self-image and the reality of his influence.

Moreover, Wolff highlights that Trump's senior staff recognized this troubling outlook. They perceived that he was struggling to grasp reality, with conventional norms and expectations overwhelming him. This disconnect not only affected Trump's decision-making but also strained relationships within his administration, as his inflated sense of self could lead to misjudgments and errors.