Exclusive extracts from the diary of a disillusioned White House resident paint a vivid picture of the lonely life of a disruptor-in-chief, grappling with staff interference and a yearning for authenticity.
A Week of Philosophical Despair and Political Farce
The diary entries, spanning a single week, reveal a leader increasingly isolated by the very system they sought to overhaul. Each day brings fresh frustrations, as attempts to inject wisdom and restraint into governance are met with baffling incompetence and political posturing.
Monday: The Noise of Insecurity
After a sleepless night, the diarist turns to the French Renaissance essayist Michel de Montaigne, finding solace in his insights on vanity. "He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak," writes Montaigne. Inspired, the leader composes a tweet referencing this philosophical genius, only for staff to reissue it as a blustering, self-assured declaration. The despair grows, surrounded by what feels like idiots.
Tuesday: Culinary Restraint Versus Political Theatre
Seeking solace in the kitchen, the leader prepares sea bass with fennel pollen and a delicate Beurre Blanc, emphasising the trick of restraint. This act of true eating stands in stark contrast to the "foul cheeseburgers" staff force upon them to maintain a certain public image. The yearning to reveal an authentic self, beyond the political stage Shakespeare described, is palpable, yet seems forever out of reach.
Wednesday: From Shelley to The Flintstones
An attempt to open a cabinet meeting with Percy Shelley's Ozymandias, a poem on leaderly hubris, is met with horror from advisers. The compromise is an episode of The Flintstones where Fred's promotion goes to his head. The vice president, inspired, suggests national screenings of The Jetsons to outline a future vision. The diarist laments the dunderheads everywhere.
Thursday: Climate Anxiety and Shouting Deafens
Anxiety clings like a damp shirt as a biblical storm batters the nation and record heat bakes the southern hemisphere. Acknowledging the scientists are right, the leader pens a calm tweet calling for emission reductions to protect children's futures. Staff transform it into a mocking denial of global warming, prompting a reflection on Camus: "Stupidity has a knack of getting its way."
Friday: Spiritual Seeking and Sober Judgment
Restlessness leads to attempts at Tibetan sleeping positions and chanting sacred mantras. Ordering a tweet of Cicero's wisdom on character and sober judgment, it is changed to a boastful claim of personal credit. The Roman lament "Stultorum infinitus est numerus" – the number of fools is infinite – feels all too apt.
Saturday: High-Stakes Debates on Harpists
A two-hour argument with Putin fails to find common ground on Ukraine or nuclear weapons, instead devolving into a debate over history's greatest harpist. The diarist champions Carlos Salzedo, while Putin insists on Empress Maria Feodorovna. The Russian leader does, however, concede the sea bass recipe sounds delicious, recommending Osetra caviar. Time runs out on critical geopolitical issues.
Sunday: Architectural Dreams Versus Pop Culture Reality
A modest redesign of the West Wing, suggesting minimalist Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt, is usurped by a staff announcement naming Donatella Versace as chief architect with Dolly Parton in a consulting role. The diary closes with a sigh and Shakespeare's line: "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown..."
A Reflection on Disruption and Disillusionment
This intimate glimpse into a week of leadership reveals the profound loneliness at the top for a self-styled disruptor. The constant battle between personal authenticity and political performance, between philosophical depth and populist simplification, creates a isolating existence. The diary stands as a testament to the struggle of shaking up a complacent world order, only to find oneself trapped in its most farcical elements.
