The Daily Signal Jonathan Karl on “Retribution”: Inside Trump’s Return to Power
Nov 9, 2025
Jonathan Karl, ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent and bestselling author, shares insights from his extensive coverage of Donald Trump. He dives into behind-the-scenes moments of the 2024 campaign, discussing his long relationship with Trump and notable exchanges. Karl analyzes the impact of courtroom drama on Trump’s narrative and debates, emphasizing Trump’s unique appeal to diverse voter demographics. He also addresses the future of the Republican Party and what Trump's endorsement might mean for successors, all captured in his new book, Retribution.
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Oval Office Feud Turned Private Reassurance
- Jonathan Karl recounts Trump calling him a "terrible reporter" in the Oval Office then immediately reassuring him privately at the Resolute desk.
- The exchange shows Trump's public toughness can be followed by a cordial private interaction.
Three-Decade Reporting Relationship
- Jonathan Karl describes a decades-long relationship with Trump starting in 1994 and the first network interview in 2013.
- That long familiarity enabled unusually frequent campaign contact and direct calls during 2024.
Stagecraft Wins Before Words
- Karl argues Trump has an instinctive, camera-savvy stage presence that wins viewers even in empty rooms.
- He contrasts Trump's raw magnetism with Biden's weaker, less theatrical debate entrance.
