Political Wire

SubscribeSign in
  • Front Page
  • Trending
  • Polling Dashboard
  • Trial Balloon
  • Books
  • Membership
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
  • Sign In
  • Contact Us
Theme
Text size

Trump’s Cabinet Officials Sought to Sabotage Each Other

October 23, 2025 · 9:45 am ET · Leave a Comment

“To sabotage a fellow Cabinet secretary, Howard Lutnick dug up a decade-old comment critical of Donald Trump made by Sean Duffy to sink his chances of being named secretary of transportation, according to a new book about the 2024 election,” ABC News reports.

“The attempt ultimately failed, but the incident was one of many instances of sabotage and infighting between potential Cabinet officials that came to define Trump’s presidential transition…”

“The book details the frenzied process when billionaires, politicians and television stars flocked to Trump’s Florida club and residence, Mar-a-Lago, to rub shoulders with future leaders of government and increase their chances of being tapped by Trump.”

Retribution
Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America
by Jonathan Karl · Dutton · 2025
Buy on Amazon
Hardcover·Kindle
More on this book from Political Wire →

Political Books, Trump Transition

← PreviousJD Vance Says He Was ‘Insulted’ by Vote in IsraelNext →Spanberger Comfortably Ahead in Virginia

Latest on Political Wire

  • 7:57 pmTrump Faces Republican Opposition to His Deal with Putin
  • 7:47 pmProbe Into TV Networks Rests On Thin Legal Grounds
  • 7:31 pmAbdul El-Sayed Narrowly Leads in Michigan Senate Race

Front page →

Political Wire is reader-supported. Join for ad-free reading, member posts and new features →

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

More about Taegan Goddard →

?Political Trivia

  • The Way It Was
    Eight moments in political history. Put them on a timeline.
    Play →
  • Yea or Nay?
    Five senators. Three bills. Can you guess how they all voted?
    Play →
  • Split Decision
    Nine Justices. One case. How did they rule?
    Play →
  • Pollster
    Do you have your finger on the pulse of America?
    Play →
  • Daily Trivia
    Four questions a day.
    Play →

A new game every day.

Your Account

Members

For the full experience, sign in.

Become a Member

  • Join Political Wire
  • Gift a Membership

Members Only

  • Weekly News Quiz
  • The Senate Map Has Turned Upside Down
  • Another Trouble Sign for Republicans
  • Another Brutal Warning Sign for Republicans
  • Who’s Running Ken Paxton’s Campaign?

?Political Trivia

  • The Way It Was →
  • Yea or Nay? →
  • Split Decision →
  • Pollster →
  • Daily Trivia →

Word of the Day Political Dictionary

Weaponize

The term “weaponize” refers to the strategic manipulation or transformation of information, institutions, or social issues into tools for gaining political advantage.

Read the definition →

Yesterday’s Word of the Day: Pen and Pad Briefing

Show me a random term

Copyright © 2026 · Goddard Media LLC

Political Wire® is a registered trademark of Goddard Media LLC

Also from Goddard Media: Political Dictionary · Political Job Hunt · Electoral Vote Map

Privacy PolicyCorrections PolicyContact