Who fires their top service leaders in the middle of a military excursion? Trump II did for the Navy less than one month into his war of choice on Iran. Six months into the conflict he axed the Army chief.
Both men are private equity underwriters (PEU)
John Phelan - Rugger Management, MSD Capital
Dan Driscoll - Flex Capital
Trump II said Phelan did an "outstanding job" and gave him "special thanks." He called Driscoll "highly effective" and a disrupter and change agent.
Neither man would be gone unless Trump wanted it.
Phelan returned to the firm he started. The Aspen Security Forum had this in his bio:
Following his government service, John returned as Founder and Chairman of Rugger Management, LLC, a private investment firm in Palm Beach, Florida.Phelan spoke to his termination in his July 2026 interview at the Forum.
It remains to be seen which PEU lands Dan Driscoll.
The Pentagon is still chock full of PEUs. I imagine they will be far more conscious of any rub points with the White House which views image as everything.
Backstage Trump II wants his name plastered everywhere and his family obscenely enriched. Yes, sir!!!
