John Leganski, former floor manager for ex‑Speaker Kevin McCarthy, is releasing a tell‑all titled Glory, Grief and the Gavel. The Regnery‑published volume, obtained early by the Times, chronicles how Donald Trump used profanity‑laden phone calls to pressure holdout Republicans during the Jan. 2023 speaker battle. Leganski’s insider view offers rare detail on the president’s intimidation tactics and reveals how personal vendettas shaped the party's strategy.

On Jan. 6, 2023, a floundering McCarthy begged Trump for help after 13 failed ballots. Trump erupted on speakerphone, shouting expletives at Rep. Andy Biggs and threatening to back‑fire against Rep. Eli Crane, promising to “find a challenger…so fast his head will spin.” The president also warned that non‑compliance would trigger campaign‑funding retaliation. The pressure forced both men to vote “present,” delivering McCarthy 216 votes on the 15th round.

Leganski, now a partner at Harbinger Strategies, says the book aims to guide future congressional staff who may face similar chaos. For investors, the memoir signals how Trump‑linked intimidation can sway legislative outcomes, raising political risk for sectors reliant on stable policy. Regnery expects strong sales among conservative readers, underscoring market appetite for insider political narratives. The release arrives as GOP leaders brace for upcoming primaries, heightening scrutiny of internal discipline.