Betrayal

The Final Act of the Trump Show

By: Jonathan Karl

Narrated by: Jonathan Karl

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

***THE INSTANT New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and IndieBound BESTSELLER***

An NPR Book of the Day

Picking up where the New York Times bestselling Front Row at the Trump Show left off, this is the explosive look at the aftermath of the election—and the events that followed Donald Trump’s leaving the White House all the way to January 6—from ABC News' chief Washington correspondent.

Nobody is in a better position to tell the story of the shocking final chapter of the Trump show than Jonathan Karl. As the reporter who has known Donald Trump longer than any other White House correspondent, Karl told the story of Trump’s rise in the New York Times best seller Front Row at the Trump Show. Now he tells the story of Trump’s downfall, complete with riveting behind-the-scenes accounts of some of the darkest days in the history of the American presidency and packed with original reporting and on-the-record interviews with central figures in this drama who are telling their stories for the first time.

This is a definitive account of what was really going on during the final weeks and months of the Trump presidency and what it means for the future of the Republican Party, by a reporter who was there for it all. He has been taunted, praised, and vilified by Donald Trump, and now Jonathan Karl finds himself in a singular position to deliver the truth.

©2021 Jonathan Karl (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“One of the books that will define the month of November is Betrayal, the new end-of-Trump-era tome by ABC's Jonathan Karl. Betrayal convincingly makes the case that the period between Election Day and Inauguration Day was even more precarious than we knew at the time. Karl isn't a progressive pundit or a hyperbolic columnist. He is one of the most-respected correspondents in D.C. He and so many others are saying: America was on the precipice of a constitutional crisis. And we could wind up back there again soon.”—Brian Stelter, CNN's Reliable Sources newsletter

“Newly revelatory in a surprising way.”—Booklist (starred review)

“In the follow-up to Front Row at the Trump Show, the ABC News political correspondent delivers fresh news on the last months of the Trump presidency.”—Kirkus (starred review)

A Sociopath and Ego driven Narcissist

Written by George Ballinger: Man who would be king but had no county. Man who said "I take no responsibility for anything" and then proceeded to promote a Big Lie and promoted an attack on the Capital and our form of government, all so he could stay in office and power. He had a taste of the largest spotlight he will ever know and power beyond even his imagination and he wanted it back no matter the cost to the country or the people. No matter the wrong, no matter the hurt, no matter the outcome, no matter the consciences of his actions, it was always someone else's fault! During a world wide pandemic he did nothing to prevent the spread of a deadly virus and thought nothing about allowing over 750,000 people to die even though he contracted the virus and knew first hand how sever the virus could be! He took office knowing nothing about government and became a Phot Op president who could See No Truth, Hear No Truth, Speak No Truth. He found it impossible to believe he could loose even though he Lost the Popular vote and the Electoral College vote! He should remain a 1 Term and Twice Impeached president living in his own world of Alternate Facts!

Factual and balanced!

I highly recommend this book. Karl’s account is not only factual, but informative. The actual interviews used to support the timeline of events adds credibility to Karl’s telling of the story of Trump’s betrayal of the American people and our democracy.

The Terrible Truth

News broadcasts the past four years revealed a presidency of ineptitude, bullying, and misinformation. Also a support system of politicians who allowed it to unfold. Karl's book confirms it all. A must read for all Americans who want to see our democracy survive.

A compelling documentation of a most troubling time.

This is the finest documentary of the end of the Trump presidency that I’ve read (and I’ve read several).
I highly recommend it and intend to keep both the hardcover and the Audiobook as an important piece of history for my family.

Incredible

An in-depth look into the last year of the Worst President ever, by a very gifted and talented writer

in depth details

enjoyed all the behind the scenes stories , lots of corroboration in various accounts

Best book yet on Trump Presidency

Well written, well performed, and he’s got the receipts — including interviewing Trump himself. A must read / listen!

background to the daily news

Jonathan Karl has known and covered Donald Trump's activities for over 20 years. He has extensive connections and news sources within the highest realms of our government. This book gives many details and much of the background that our 20 second sound-byte daily news cannot give. Mr. Karl narrates the book himself and makes it sound like a fascinating political novel. It is not a novel, though, it is an accounting of what took place in the last period of the presidency of Donald Trump. The book gives a wake up call to this country showing how close we came to losing our way of government and falling into a form of dictatorship and cult leadership.

I like the factual, unbiased presentation.

outstanding inside look with excellent insider views from Trump White House officials and actual people involved.

Excellent

Karl’s research and explanations make this amazing time easier to understand. I wish everyone would read this book.