Q&A ABC News Journalist Jonathan Karl on "Retribution"
Jan 26, 2026
Jonathan Karl, ABC News chief Washington correspondent and author, discusses his book Retribution about Trump’s 2024 comeback. He revisits the election-night call, surprising access to Trump, the contrast between Trump’s public attacks and private tone, the Butler assassination aftermath, and the roles of figures like Steve Bannon and Hunter Biden. Short, revealing stories and behind-the-scenes moments throughout.
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Episode notes
Trump's Unusual Accessibility
- Karl highlights Trump's atypical accessibility, including taking calls on his cell phone outside secure settings.
- He sees this as a Trump-specific norm unlikely to be replicated by other presidents.
Presidential Records Are Preserved
- Presidential records, including texts, are required to be preserved under the Presidential Records Act.
- Karl notes Trump sometimes tore up memos, prompting aides to recover them for archives, implying texts could also be preserved.
From Attack To Invitation
- After Trump publicly attacked Karl over an interview, he called Karl, shifted tone, and invited him to Mar-a-Lago for "some TV work."
- Karl uses this to illustrate Trump's rapid swings between hostility and friendliness.
