palace intrigue

Definition

The internal power struggles, backstabbing, and maneuvering within an administration or political organization. It's Game of Thrones but with worse outfits and more leaked emails.

Example Usage

The White House was consumed by palace intrigue, with three different factions leaking against each other to their preferred reporters.

Origin

From literal palace power struggles in monarchies; adapted to democratic politics by 20th century

Fun Fact

The Trump White House generated so much palace intrigue that Bob Woodward wrote three separate books about it, each with new backstabbing details.

Source: Political insider terminology

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