Every American president carries a legal obligation to safeguard letters, emails, and working documents and to hand them over to the National Archives. Recently released photos raised questions about the handling of official materials during the Trump years. The images appear in the book Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Break of America, by Maggie Haberman, a veteran reporter for The New York Times who also contributes to CNN.
The photos show two toilets and were obtained by Haberman from sources linked to the former administration. One image depicts a bathroom inside the White House, while the other captures a moment during a Trump trip abroad. In one torn note, the word qualified is visible; in another, Stefanik is legible. The latter may reference Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who has been a close ally of Trump and holds a senior position in the House leadership. The authorship of the notes remains unclear, though the handwriting is described as potentially belonging to the former president according to discussions with CNN.
Observers wonder what the papers were about and who was responsible for their care. Haberman emphasizes that the content extends beyond what can be read from the visible portions and stresses the central issue of protecting official documents. Reporters note that White House staff during Trump’s tenure faced challenges in maintaining proper documentation, and there were anecdotes about discarded materials during that period.
Penguin Books describes the work as a character study of a public figure who became a mass phenomenon, drawing on extensive presidential coverage and interviews with numerous sources. The book is positioned to offer a broader perspective on the forces shaping contemporary American politics.
This topic is not new. Earlier reports highlighted boxes of material moved from the Trump residence in Florida and other locations, containing correspondence from various international leaders, including Kim Jong-un. Some materials have been described in striking terms, including personal notes that captured moments of diplomatic dialogue. The discussions reflect ongoing debates about how presidents manage sensitive information and the long-term implications for records and accountability.
Responses from Trump allies at the time challenged the reporting, with spokespeople arguing that the material in question had been handled properly. Critics point to gaps in process and the potential risks that mismanaged records pose to governance. The broader conversation continues to focus on the balance between transparency, national security, and political strategy, especially as new evidence emerges and public interest remains high.