Maggie Haberman estimates that 70% of former President Trump's mental focus is dedicated to his building, renovation, and tribute projects. She emphasizes that no sitting president has ever undertaken such personal endeavors in their own name. This insight from Haberman, a co-author of the bestselling book "Regime Change," is crucial for understanding Trump's motivations. According to Haberman, Trump is primarily interested in tangible, visible things. She initially shared this 70% estimate during an interview with Ezra Klein, framing it as a legacy pursuit. Her extensive reporting makes her a leading expert on Trump's thought processes. During an Oval Office interview for their book, Haberman and Jonathan Swan observed Trump's preoccupation with these projects. Despite having recently launched a war, Trump showed little interest in discussing it or policy specifics. Instead, he focused on portraying himself as a winner and showcasing his remaking of Washington. Haberman recounted Trump presenting pictures of maple trees he was selecting for the White House and discussing the architectural designs of the ballroom. He meticulously detailed the columns' evocation of Rome and Athens, even comparing them favorably to those at the Supreme Court. This detailed focus on aesthetic and structural changes dominated the initial part of their interview.