In a scathing analysis, author Jacob Weisberg sheds light on what he claims are the “very worst” cowards in America who have enabled President Donald Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. In promoting his new book, Profiles in Cowardice, Weisberg identifies eight key figures whose capitulations have bolstered Trump’s power during his second term.
Speaking on The Daily Beast Podcast, Weisberg explained that his work examines a phenomenon he refers to as the “Great Capitulation,” which he argues occurred in 2025. This period saw numerous influential individuals and institutions bowing to Trump’s ever-increasing demands.
Among those named by Weisberg are notable figures such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Chief Justice John Roberts, and former Fox News host Megyn Kelly. Also included are corporate titans like lawyer Brad Karp and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, alongside former President George W. Bush and Dartmouth College’s president, Sian Beilock.
One of the most striking examples, according to Weisberg, is Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Weisberg contrasts Bezos’s fierce independence during Trump’s first term as owner of the Washington Post with what he deems a complete turnaround in Trump’s second term.
“In Trump’s first term, Bezos stood firm against pressure to soften the Washington Post’s critique of the administration,” Weisberg noted. “But now, he seems to have shifted to a much more submissive role.” He cites Bezos’s recent decision to purchase a documentary for $40 million related to Melania Trump as a possibly self-serving move to curry favor with the president.
Weisberg contends that Bezos’s ambition to secure government contracts for his space venture, Blue Origin, is driving his current concessions to Trump. “His dreams of space colonization are apparently linked to his willingness to play ball with the administration,” Weisberg remarked.
Turning to Chief Justice Roberts, Weisberg criticized a ruling from 2020 that granted sweeping immunities to presidents for their official actions, effectively insuring Trump against prosecution once he left office. Weisberg posits that, despite his apparent distaste for Trump, Roberts has compromised his judicial integrity in service of a broader belief in executive power.
In discussing Mitch McConnell, Weisberg highlights the former Senate Majority Leader’s reluctance to support Trump’s impeachment after the Capitol riots. Weisberg argues that McConnell’s fears of political repercussions played a pivotal role in his decision to abstain from backing Trump’s conviction.
“Had McConnell remained steadfast to his statements from January 6, he could have helped convict Trump and prevent him from holding office again,” Weisberg stated. “This inability to act on his convictions effectively enabled Trump’s second term.”
As Weisberg outlined these narratives of compromise, he emphasized the unique motivations each individual faced. While shame and accountability might vary among them, he argues all have contributed to Trump’s alarming hold on power.
The overarching theme of Weisberg’s work is a warning about the dangers of capitulation at the highest levels of power. He sees the willingness of influential figures to bend to Trump’s will as a significant threat to democracy itself.
“They should have known better,” Weisberg remarked. “These are people who constantly profess their allegiance to democratic values, yet their actions tell a different story.”
As public discourse continues to grapple with the implications of Trump’s presidency, Weisberg’s insights raise critical questions about accountability. The risk to democratic institutions, he argues, is heightened when self-serving interests overshadow the collective good.
In a landscape where public trust in institutions is fragile, these revelations serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction and compliance. Weisberg’s book aims to remind readers of the responsibilities that come with power.
As political tensions mount in the country, Weisberg’s reflections on these “cowards” could influence the narrative surrounding various public figures as they navigate the current socio-political climate.
The implications of these observations are far-reaching: as Trump continues to exert his influence, the stakes for those in power remain incredibly high. Weisberg’s portrayal of these eight key figures offers both critique and caution.
In the aftermath of these revelations, it remains to be seen how history will judge both the enablers of Trump’s actions and those who chose to resist. The continuous struggle for the soul of American democracy is surely far from over.
