According to Michael Wolff in his book "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," Donald Trump significantly overestimated his own power and ability to influence those around him. He believed he could expertly manipulate others and maintain control, yet the reality was quite different. This discrepancy between his perception and reality became more evident as time went on.

The situation became increasingly concerning for Trump's senior staff, who perceived that the president was struggling with a grasp on reality. They felt that he was not only out of touch but that the weight of reality was beginning to overwhelm him, leading to a troubling disconnect between his self-image and the challenges he faced as president.