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Andrew Weissmann: Trump Built a Kingdom of Lies | Illegal News
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- Published on Apr 16, 2026
- Sarah Longwell talks with former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann about his new book: "Liar’s Kingdom"
They discuss how Donald Trump exposed weaknesses in American institutions, why misinformation has become so central to modern politics, and what that means for the future of democracy.
Weissmann explains why simply winning elections won’t fix the problem, explores how other democracies handle threats to the rule of law, and lays out reforms that could strengthen guardrails without rewriting the Constitution.
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Liar's Kingdom? A perfect title for a book about the Trump administration.
🤣👏👌
If his lips are moving, he is lying.
The Democratic Party has never done anything to Make America Great ! It only enrich,s itself and Fails America !
Courthouse employees named in Monroe County voter fraud indictments ! But the democrats have told us over and over THERE IS NO VOTER FRAUD. I don't understand
Pls nobody acknowledge 'Samson the Troll', it'll be his bedtime soon.
Andrew Weissmann is truly my Hero! Smart. Educated. Fair. Event tempered and just cool. If I could have been a student of his, I'd be a lawyer today.
I absolutely love listening to him too. He is v. eloquent and can be funny too.
That doesn’t really follow.
Andrew is so right…but it’s really depressing that politicians have to be threatened with a court action to refrain from lying…
What is even more depressing is that so many people prefer to be lied to.
What's more depressing than that is that those who try to call out the liars' lies have their careers, families, and even lives threatened.
Andrew has the language, he can write a bill and send it to the members of Congress and then tell the American people that this bill, that prevents politicians from lying, will benefit all of U.S.!
We need people who want to build entirely new, better institutions and systems. We can do it. We can make the best America ever.
Need to get the money out of politics. Who wants to spend their days begging for money and pandering to donors? We're not getting the best people to start with, much of the time. For starters ,
@Repdem, you are so right!
New rule for the Bulwark: if your audience hears a dog, they must be able to see the dog long enough to say hello!
Absolutely!
Bark bark whoof whoof. I was waiting for the dog to start howling..🐕🦺
Sigh...I was hoping for a cameo as well!
Good suggestion.
Andrew’s dog also deeply dislikes “political lies!” 🐾🐾
🤣😂
He should get a bone to chew on when the podcast is recording.
I love him but I truly had a hard time concentrating 😂
Or else his dog really has to go outside to take care of business! 💜🐾
@Peg@PeggyGallagher-y5p exactly! The beauty of pre-taping is you can edit out a quick pee break for that poor thing!
I could watch/listen to Andrew all day! Can't wait to read this. :)
Me too
this reminds me of a woman i knew many years ago who was talking about her son-in-law & said , "He always lies. He lies when the truth would serve better."
I couldn't agree more, on both counts!
Same here and I have ordered (today) his new book!
Same!!!
Andrew, may we please hire you in January 2029 to head a commission to pass these laws? 💙 They are desperately needed! We relied far too much on "norms", and trust that evil people won't hold office! 🇺🇲
That would be great! I think it should also pertain to people running for office who act progressive then get in and immediately change their ideogies/policies to more conservative. That happened w Sinema who was taking $ and also Fetterman (he turned full blown maga after a stroke, there needs to be some laws about this). I also remember a race in N Carolina where the woman ran as a Dem and as soon as she won & was in office, she switched to the Republican party. This all needs to be illegal!
Yippee! Andrew has a new book. Sarah also has a book out. Two bright, wonderful people. My best to you both.
Congratulations to Mr. Weissmann. Can't wait to read it.
I’m getting a copy just because of that story on the publishing house! Good for them for not capitulating to the facist regime!
Congrats Weismann! Looking forward to your wise and thoughtful words!
Mr. Weissmann is a most excellent fellow!
My father would call him a “Prince of a fella.”
Yes and it's great when he is relaxed and we see his other personality, not just a legal brain on TV.
People like Andrew, who become lawyers is why I pursued (but failed) being one in his footsteps. It's hard to find anyone to agree with on everything, but he's one. He's so right when stating how broken different system are, and all that p'do felon POS in the WH did was to expose the cracks.
As an editor, it warmed my heart so much that Andrew called the book a collaboration. ❤
He’s that kind of guy.
Finally! It has bothered me for years that politicians are allowed to lie and mislead the public without accountability- legally! Thank you, Andrew for writing the book on this- literally.
Since a sitting president can’t be held accountable for anything, could new laws hold members of their administration accountable for lies?
Trump's administration will have consequences/accountable. When all is said/done when the house/senate flip 🤞🙏 Everyone must go out and vote. Meanwhile call your House/congressman that them know how you feel and what you expect.
When are we going to hold these politicians for lying. Oh I know, get them under oath...NOW!!!
Yay!!! More intelligent reading! Congratulations, I can’t wait to get it!
Love Andrew! Always feel more informed about the law listening to him.
But…what if the dog is allowed to come in the room?? Have we tried that already?
Love Sarah and Andrew together.
❤
Right on Andrew and Little Brown publishing house👍
I'm ready to sue Trump for lying!
Maybe write the law that any politician lying to their constituents or public or any citizen in the USA is subject to prosecution!
I never understood how someone can be criminally charged for lying to Congress, but in the same same hearing, members of Congress can and do lie incessantly with no consequences.
Andrew is one of my favorite guests on any show he is on! Congrats on the book! 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for having Andrew on! I want to thank him for his service to Democracy, and thanks for your reporting!
And yet members of Congress are allowed to lie to us without any repercussions!
Stay engaged, watch what they do and vote accordingly.
All the more reason to vote blue and flip the house 🏡 we the people need to have control again and that's done by who we elect into office wake up America
And police are allowed to lie, too-- just like in all dictatorships. Many countries have laws against this.
👍 Thank you for making us aware of the backbone required to publish books addressing politics. The emotion in Andrew's voice as he gave props to Little Brown really drove the point home.
I can't wait to read the book. I'm constantly telling people how much I learn when Andrew provides background knowledge related to current events. He's a treasure! ❤
Fck amazon!!! Thank you for giving us an alternative andrew. Smart!
All this is exactly what we need. Corporate Executives have more responsibility to be honest than any politicians. If there’s no accountability for lying to the public but there’s a benefit for lying to the public, it makes sense you have politicians that are dishonest and public loses faith in government.
Congrats Andrew 🗽 Getting the real truth to all the people will help.
There will be so much to do to build the government we need!
We will have a lot of work to do to correct what this man has done😢 God only knows how long it will take to correct the damage he has done
Even the dogs have had it love this segment
I love everyone on the Bulwark! Sarah, you and Andrew Weissman, right now, are my must see.
Congratulations Andrew!
I’m so excited!!! I’m ordering Andrew’s book right now!!!!❤❤❤
Doesn’t (or why doesn’t) a US sitting President have a fiduciary duty to tell the truth to citizens of the USA, the people he swears an oath to protect? It boggles the mind.
THE ROARING 20'S WAS A HUNDRED YEARS AGO AND WE ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION 100 YEARS LATER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I ordered Mr. Weismann’s book. Can’t wait to read it. ❤
I love these chats with Andrew and Sara. . so sweet! ok, I haven't read the book, but just listening to this interview and Andrew's descriptions of how lies by politicians in other countries are prosecuted. . makes me wish he would make his book into a documentary. . a film on Netflix. This is absolutely a huge discrepancy in America. We are all drowning in lies.
Andrew is an educated, experienced, intelligent American. We need you!
I love you Andrew I’ve followed you for a long time and thank you for your wisdom it’s appreciated so much.💙
How about "truth in advertising" laws? Running for office is like advertising a product, so shouldn't those laws be applicable?
I have been thinking about this exact thing....why are the people meant to represent us allowed to lie with no consequence?!
Looking forward to reading the new book, Andrew! Just pre-ordered. Thanks for being a part of the Bulwark Team. As viewers, we really benefit from your insight. The topic of your new book interests me. I've been preaching for YEARS that the best thing that could ever happen to us as a nation would be to require all politicians (and their press secretaries) to be considered under oath in any conversation with the public or the press. Freedom of speech should not include lying to the public when your JOB is to serve the public.
I have long wondered about this topic - if politicians running for office are permitted to lie as a form of free speech, how will we the voters be able to make good decisions about who we want to represent us? It seems to fly in the face of democracy and what it intends. Looking forward to reading Andrew's book. It is so timely.
Great conversation! Andrew Weissman, thank you for doing the thinking on this!
Congratulations, Andrew! It's on the top of my reading list.
We DO need to hold them to a much higher standard! A good reason to write your book.
Great interview. Will always watch Andrew, clever and adorable.
He really is adorable!!
Wonderful conversation. Looking forward to the accountability from people like George guided by the new laws he and Andrew will help craft.❤
Andrew Weissmann!!!
In the US, the criminals are the ones making and enforcing the laws.
Chatham Bookstore gets my money! I love an independent bookstore! Also, much appreciation for the elevated conversation you two bring to the viewer.
Wow. Congratulations Andrew! 🎉
Looking forward to it
I adore 🥰 Andrew and his boyish enthusiasm about his book!!!!🎉🎉🎉 I cannot wait to hear him read it!!! 😁😁😁
Andrew, I am so glad you mention Little Brown!!
As soon as I saw the two of you together in my feed, I had to click to hear the big news! Congrats to you both on your books!❤
Congrats Andrew, on the release of your book!
I still remember a time when being caught in a lie resulted in shame and punishment. In this country political liars are richly rewarded.
Way every system of government fails is because upholding noble ideas are fragile. They demand discipline, restraint, and long‑term thinking, while corruption offers immediate rewards with no upfront cost. It’s like planting an orchard versus grabbing whatever fruit you can steal today. One path requires patience and integrity; the other requires only appetite.
💙 Andrew Weisman, could hear him all day.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ok almost,need to sleep, eat, work.💙
I'm glad I stayed until the end, very interesting about the initial publisher pulling out.
I'm all about fixing the broken systems. David French has said similar things; about the insurrection act, for example. The book sounds intriguing.
Congrats on the books, both of you👏❣️❣️❣️❣️
It is going to take so much time, and effort for all of us to change. I am one of the people who believe we have to educate children. But, u r so right… that is long term. I will buy this book. I am sure, a good place to start.
We MUST join the ICC.
Sarah and Andrew are such a wonderful intellectual combination!! I think you bring the best out of each other.
I love my country and he's right, we deserve better. This never should have happened.
Ty Andrew, that’s a great point… WHY are Politicians in America effectively ‘Licensed to LIE’?!? It’s High time WE the People STOP Accepting This Absolute Bull🤬 from them!!
Thanks Andrew
They lie about EVERYTHING to EVERYONE. These criminal liars don’t just lie to the public and to courts, they lie to each other, too. One of the most frustrating things is that potential opponents to this administration don’t realize that these criminals also lie about their own threats.
“People love when you’re here”…. Yea we really do!
Yes, Sarah, we DO love it when Andrew is on
Always, always love watching you guys! Andrew’s explanations are just spot on, and I could listen to him all day. Good luck with the book, Andrew! Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you Mr Weissman. You are right on. I cannot watch the President because he is lying through is teeth.
You have made my life sane during all this crazy BS ..... and Andrew has totally been the person that speaks to clarify the things we feel but are not ready to process. THANK YOU
It’s the lying that has taken us where we stand today. And obviously there’s a whole lot of Americans who lack the critical thinking skills necessary to discern the lies from the truth, or are willing to go along with them. Then there’s the media that blatantly lie. Legislation is most definitely needed. Thank you, Andrew.
I am so profoundly grateful that Andrew is taking on this gross weaponization of the lying. Practically every move this administration makes is done based on lies. It's the one thing that upsets me the most. Thank you!
If ever a book were needed, Andrew's book is needed.
Supreme court structure needs reform. How to make the Supreme court a place where there is balance? Always! How can you make it so that it doesn't become biased and partisan? It's so so important!
LOVE Andrew!!!
Great show, you guys. Thanks! Write more books, Andrew!
Great title and I'm certain a great book! Thank you, Mr. Weissmann.
Andrew is a gentle genius. The ONLY expert who can explain in terms everyone can understand. Andrew is a blessing to this country. MORE MORE MORE Sarah & Andrew!
Karoline Leavitt deserves life in prison for all the lies she tells everyday.
Good ole Karolying
All his lying minions are only following Dear Leader’s example. He has never once offered a shred of evidence or proof about any one of his claims. About ANYTHING. They figure if it works for him, it’ll work for them.
And her sneering, contemptuous tone as well! She seems to have complete disdain for the free press.
Ruth Elle I saw your post something I don't know how she does it 🤷 and I also think she's not a very nice person again I don't know how she does it another reason when it trickles down to someone like her we should definitely be asking ourselves WTF is going on
@joanfregapane8683she has complete disdain where's the Free press because she can't control them can't wait to see her go down with the ship
Andrew is one of the most reliable, trustworthy voices!
Wow! Ordered the book. Way to go Andrew!
We need waaaayyyyy more Sarah and Andrew. You guys go together and complement each other so much!
Yours is a good idea, Andrew Weissman. Holding politicians accountable for telling untruths to leverage their ambitions is most welcome. And also, hurrah for Little, Brown! A principled publisher... Wonderful.
The Regime lies about EVERYTHING!
That literally means everything.
The lawless Regime may have the power, but they have NO LEGITIMACY!
Congratulations Andrew!! I can’t wait to read it.
One law that I used to think was a law but, turns out it isn't, that no one who's been convicted of a felony should be allowed to run for elected office. Seems like a no brainer.
A lie to the public is legal, but a lie in a court or to a federal agent is a crime. Guess what we get?
Omg! Just luv Sarah & Andrew together! Always learn so much 😊
I wouldn’t usually comment 5 minutes in, but 😮 sad that I forgot about the lie counter! Also ❤ to Andrew for excellent discussion with Jack Smith.
Radar wasn't invented until right before World War II, but point taken.
I LOVE ANDREW!!!!! That Weissmann is a WISE-MAN!!!
This has been a great discussion, thank you both for addressing this today, NOTHIG BUT THE TRUTH!!