New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman said President Donald Trump’s White House staff is “not happy,” revealing behind-the-scenes discord as the administration grapples with ongoing challenges. Speaking on MSNBC’s State of Play on August 27, Haberman described a workplace where Trump is “lashing out” at staffers and most are seeking exits.
Haberman, author of the book “Regime Change,” noted that her reporting shows staff morale problems despite lower overall turnover in Trump’s second term compared to his first. “It’s not a happy White House,” she said. “Based on our reporting, the president is not in a great place with his staff, according to everyone we talked to. He is lashing out a lot, which tends to happen when things are not going well.”
The reporting comes as the White House faces a string of high-profile departures. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest press secretary in U.S. history at age 27, worked her last day on August 28, citing a desire to focus on family after the birth of her second child in May. Days earlier, Director of Legislative Affairs James Braid announced his departure for September. These exits signal broader staff unrest during a critical period for the administration.
Haberman contextualized the current situation within Trump’s management style. While acknowledging that turnover rates remain lower than during Trump’s first term—when the administration saw record staff churn—she emphasized that the underlying dynamic remains problematic. “Most people have decided that they want to go do something else,” Haberman explained. “That’s not everybody and there will be other people who come in.”
The administration is navigating multiple stressors that may be contributing to staff frustration. An ongoing military conflict with Iran, which began in February 2026 and has stretched far beyond initial projections, has created uncertainty within the ranks. Some officials have expressed concern about the lack of a clear exit strategy, and the prolonged engagement has tested morale across national security and defense agencies. Additionally, Trump’s approval rating hit 33%, the lowest of his presidency, according to recent polling, potentially adding pressure on staff who must defend the administration publicly.
Haberman’s assessment aligns with reporting on recent departures. Trump White House legislative director James Braid is set to leave in September, while Karoline Leavitt stepped down as White House press secretary to focus on family. Leavitt, who had earned Trump’s trust in ways previous press secretaries did not, said in her final interview that she was grateful Trump had given her a chance despite doubts about her age.
Haberman questioned the broader significance of individual departures, noting that Trump often functions as his own press secretary and maintains tight control over messaging. She suggested that staff turnover, while notable, may matter less in Trump’s management structure than it would in a traditional White House. However, her reporting underscores a pattern of workplace stress that extends beyond any single role or departure.
Sources
- Yahoo News / Mediaite — Maggie Haberman’s on-air remarks to MSNBC’s Peter Alexander on State of Play, August 27, 2026, regarding White House staff morale and departures.
- NBC News — Reporting on Karoline Leavitt’s resignation as White House press secretary and her statement about focusing on family.
- The Independent — Coverage of recent White House staff departures including James Braid and context on ongoing Iran conflict affecting morale.
- Brookings Institution — Analysis of turnover rates comparing Trump’s first and second terms.
- NPR — Reporting on the Iran war and its impact on administration personnel and military leadership.
