Matt Taibbi is a writer for Rolling Stone. He has covered multiple presidential campaigns and written several books on politics. This book includes 25 pieces from Rolling Stone and 2 original essays.
The book is about how Trump became president, so most of the pieces cover the Republican debates and primaries. Weaved throughout are his explanations for Trump's popularity. They include the failings of politicians overall and those of the Republican party that provided an opening for Trump's rhetoric and tactics.
In brief he describes what he covered more in depth in The Great Derangement. Politicians on the national level are disconnected from their constituents. Politicians on the campaign trail live in a bubble and the media who cover them are in the bubble as well. On campaigns, they travel from place to place without really connecting with citizens. The media contribute by not covering those politicians that aren't in line with their party or bring them back in line.
Trump took advantage of the disconnect by using a message that was populist in nature. Bernie Sanders did as well. The difference was that Trump's message made for better ratings. The outrageous things he said make for better ratings than Sanders talking about poverty and inequality. This is another way that the media was complicit in helping Trump and hurting Sanders.
Taibbi did foresee Trump winning the nomination but didn't foresee him winning the election. In retrospect, he concludes that Trump and his campaign made some good moves once he won the nomination. He talks about the Clintons as well. They could once claim to be from the poor or middle class but have become rich and part of the system.
Some of the pieces weren't as interesting because I paid attention to events as they happened but he provides some insights. Looking at the background and the whole picture made for a good read. It will be interesting to see if the Republicans or Democrats learned anything from the presidential campaign and what they do next.
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