Donald Trump believed he had vastly more power, authority, and control than in fact he had, and he believed his talent for manipulating people and bending and dominating them was vastly greater than it was. Pushing this line of reasoning just a little further: senior staff believed the president had a problem with reality, and reality was now overwhelming him.
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.
