The Persuasion Game by Chad Lewis is a meticulously researched exposé on the influence peddlers who infiltrated the Trump administration, jeopardizing American democracy in the process. Lewis unpacks the intricate web of corruption surrounding figures like Rudy Giuliani, Lev Parnas, and other key players who used their proximity to power to advance foreign agendas. From undermining criminal investigations to enabling autocratic interests, their actions had far-reaching consequences. This book is an essential read for anyone looking to understand the hidden forces that shaped political decision-making during Trump's presidency and the dangers of unchecked influence.

Author Chad Lewis writes with a clear passion for critical and independent thinking, and that makes for a compelling and deeply researched account of political manipulation at the highest levels. The web of corruption that Lewis uncovers here will be truly shocking to those who have yet to engage with the critical underbelly of the Trump administration, and this author lays it all out with the precision of a master investigator so that wherever your starting point is, you can catch up fast. I enjoyed the different sections on key players and unsightly figures worming their way into the administration for power. The confident, cool manner in which Lewis delivers facts makes for an essential guide to understanding modern politics, but also on a wider level how humanity’s relationship with fear and power works too. Overall, The Persuasion Game is a highly recommended read for anyone concerned about the integrity of democratic institutions and an ideal place for the curious to start.

In The Persuasion Game, Chad Lewis delves into the shady dealings of Rudy Giuliani, Lev Parnas, and Igor Fruman, tracing their influence schemes from the onset of Donald Trump’s first presidency. While much focus was given to their role in the Ukraine scandal during the 2019 impeachment investigation, Lewis shifts attention to their broader, covert activities. The book reveals how Giuliani and Parnas, using connections at the Department of Justice and their proximity to Trump, facilitated foreign influence peddling on behalf of corrupt regimes in countries like Ukraine, Venezuela, and Turkey. Their actions undermined American institutions, creating a dangerous web of corruption that jeopardized democracy and enriched foreign oligarchs.

The Persuasion Game by Chad Lewis offers a thorough examination of the influence networks that shaped contemporary US executive policies and decision making. The book’s chronological structure is highly effective, providing a clear and precise timeline of events that helps the reader follow the progression of key developments without getting lost in the sheer volume of it all. Lewis’s writing is objective and balanced, allowing readers to see different angles and better understand the motivations, whether flawed or not, behind each of them. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to really show us how business dealings gradually evolved into political entanglements, leading to the consequences that we watched play out in hearings, and others that were new to me. These ultimately set the stage for the 2016 election interference, and Lewis makes this as clear as day for a full reflection on the broader implications. Very highly recommended.

The practice of lobbying has long been a part of the American political landscape and has become a way of life in the United States. For those unfamiliar with the system, it is a means of influencing government decisions through individuals or organizations advocating on behalf of specific interests. It is, at times, a shadowy world with little transparency as to who gets paid what for services rendered. Chad Lewis digs deeply into this system of connections and agendas with The Persuasion Game. This analysis begins in 2011 and sets the tone for the period that preceded President Trump's assuming office for his first term in 2017. This came at a time after Turkey and its president had been embroiled in allegations of corruption, and he had been the target of a coup attempt. Damage control was needed, and professional lobbyists were hired. Cultural and trade groups were roped in, while non-profit organizations participated, along with proxy journalists and unwitting accomplices. Donations were made to political campaigns and influencers through the back door. This scenario was later repeated with variations in dealings with Venezuela, Ukraine, and Russia. There was reported Russian interference in the United States presidential election process through social media propaganda and hacking. The 2020 election, won by Biden, was preceded by tricks, disinformation, and allegations of vote rigging. The riots of 6 January 2021 and the invasion of the Capitol followed.

Chad Lewis has traveled widely and has studied the dynamics of this evolving situation and how it has affected foreign policy and events inside the USA. The Persuasion Game exposes the ugly side of American politics with its underhanded tactics. Money flowed freely, and at times illegally, to oil the facilitation machine. The author reveals a web of conspiracy that went right up to the presidential level. Claims of corruption were swept under the carpet, charges were dropped, and investigations stalled. Smear campaigns were unleashed. The author has conducted extensive research and pulls no punches when sharing his findings. Extracts from emails are published, those implicated are named, dates quoted, conversations aired, and deals dissected. A rogue’s gallery of unsavory characters is uncovered. It highlights blurred lines of allegiance, with agreements between strange bedfellows dictated by convenience. Political interference prevailed, along with commercial interests. President Trump and his cohorts had extensive business investments, and scarce resources such as oil and gas came into play. Detailed timelines from 2011 to 2023 are provided in an appendix, and the list of sources is impressive. The book ends before the second Trump presidential term and highlights the choice facing Americans: democracy or a business-dominated America Inc. This impressive analysis may not appeal to Trump supporters, but it provides a detailed and insightful review for readers interested in American politics.

Chad Lewis’s debut book, The Persuasion Game, examines the undercurrents of foreign influence that he argues pervaded the previous Trump administration. With a background in American foreign policy and Russian politics, Lewis casts a broad net, investigating the roles of Rudy Giuliani and his associates in what he describes as a network of quid pro quos that threatened the integrity of American democratic institutions. Giuliani, using his Department of Justice connections and closeness to President Trump, emerges as a central figure, seemingly operating a parallel diplomatic channel that engaged authoritarian regimes in Turkey, Venezuela, and Ukraine. Lewis argues that Giuliani's dealings entangled top-level officials and compromised the foundational pillars of American governance, hinting at an administration veering perilously close to autocracy.

The book is commendable for its research, with Chad Lewis concluding how these influence operations infiltrated various chambers of power. However, it is important to note that the book has a distinctly liberal slant. It offers a critical examination that aligns closely with liberal criticisms of the Trump administration’s flirtation with autocratic regimes and its alleged subversion of democratic norms. Readers looking for a balanced discourse might find that The Persuasion Game leans too heavily on the precipice of Trump-bashing, though supported by a body of research and a compelling argumentative structure. The narrative is dense, sometimes requiring careful attention to untangle the web of interactions and implications Lewis proposes. The book is an essential read for those intrigued by the complexities of political power and influence-peddling within the highest echelons of the U.S. government during the Trump era. It’s a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities of democratic institutions when confronted with the persuasive power of those willing to compromise them for personal and political gain.