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Liar's Kingdom: How to Stop Trump's Deceit and Save America
From MS NOW legal analyst and veteran federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, an urgent summons to tackle the scourge of political lies in America—and prevent a figure like Donald Trump from ever rising again.
“The 2020 election was a total FRAUD!” “I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.” “There is NO WAY Biden got 80,000,000 votes!!!” These and other lies by Donald Trump sparked a historic insurrection to topple our democracy and undermined the public’s faith in elections. The Trump administration’s deceit has enabled the use of law enforcement and the military against the people, the unlawful deportation of immigrants, and the disregard of international rules meant to promote a civilized and peaceful world. Other politicians, inspired by the success of the political lie, have flooded the public square with falsehoods of their own.
As Andrew Weissmann reveals, our vulnerability to politicians’ lies stems from a flaw in America’s legal system—one that can be fixed. But it will take courage, creativity, and a willingness to look beyond our borders to other countries that have already confronted this crisis. A slim, elegant treatise, Liar’s Kingdom is a playbook for stopping politicians like Trump from holding office in the future—and for saving our democracy. We are entitled to more from our government, and Weissmann shows us how we can get it.
“The 2020 election was a total FRAUD!” “I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.” “There is NO WAY Biden got 80,000,000 votes!!!” These and other lies by Donald Trump sparked a historic insurrection to topple our democracy and undermined the public’s faith in elections. The Trump administration’s deceit has enabled the use of law enforcement and the military against the people, the unlawful deportation of immigrants, and the disregard of international rules meant to promote a civilized and peaceful world. Other politicians, inspired by the success of the political lie, have flooded the public square with falsehoods of their own.
As Andrew Weissmann reveals, our vulnerability to politicians’ lies stems from a flaw in America’s legal system—one that can be fixed. But it will take courage, creativity, and a willingness to look beyond our borders to other countries that have already confronted this crisis. A slim, elegant treatise, Liar’s Kingdom is a playbook for stopping politicians like Trump from holding office in the future—and for saving our democracy. We are entitled to more from our government, and Weissmann shows us how we can get it.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Andrew Weissmann
7 books59 followersAndrew Weissmann is a Professor of Practice. He teaches courses in national security and criminal procedure.
Andrew served as a lead prosecutor in Robert S. Mueller’s Special Counsel’s Office (2017-19) and as Chief of the Fraud Section in the Department of Justice (2015-2019). From 2011 to 2013, Weissmann served as the General Counsel for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He previously served as special counsel to then-Director Mueller in 2005, after which he was a partner at Jenner & Block. From 2002-2005, he served as the Deputy and then the Director of the Enron Task Force in Washington, D.C., where he supervised the prosecution of more than 30 individuals in connection with the company’s collapse. Weissmann was a federal prosecutor for 15 years in the Eastern District of New York, where he served as the Chief of the Criminal Division. He prosecuted numerous members of the Colombo, Gambino, and Genovese families, including the bosses of the Colombo and Genovese families.
Andrew is the co-host of the popular podcast Prosecuting Donald Trump and is a frequent legal analyst for NBC/MSNBC. He serves on the board of Just Security and writes frequently for it, The New York Times, The Atlantic, & The Washington Post. His memoir about the Special Counsel investigation, Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation , was a New York Times bestseller.
He has taught criminal law and procedure at Fordham Law School and Brooklyn Law School. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University and attended the University of Geneva on a Fulbright Fellowship.
Andrew served as a lead prosecutor in Robert S. Mueller’s Special Counsel’s Office (2017-19) and as Chief of the Fraud Section in the Department of Justice (2015-2019). From 2011 to 2013, Weissmann served as the General Counsel for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He previously served as special counsel to then-Director Mueller in 2005, after which he was a partner at Jenner & Block. From 2002-2005, he served as the Deputy and then the Director of the Enron Task Force in Washington, D.C., where he supervised the prosecution of more than 30 individuals in connection with the company’s collapse. Weissmann was a federal prosecutor for 15 years in the Eastern District of New York, where he served as the Chief of the Criminal Division. He prosecuted numerous members of the Colombo, Gambino, and Genovese families, including the bosses of the Colombo and Genovese families.
Andrew is the co-host of the popular podcast Prosecuting Donald Trump and is a frequent legal analyst for NBC/MSNBC. He serves on the board of Just Security and writes frequently for it, The New York Times, The Atlantic, & The Washington Post. His memoir about the Special Counsel investigation, Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation , was a New York Times bestseller.
He has taught criminal law and procedure at Fordham Law School and Brooklyn Law School. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University and attended the University of Geneva on a Fulbright Fellowship.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 25, 2026
A must Read!
This book gives me hope. Great examples for saving democracy, pitfalls etc. This book is a must read!
Thank you Andrew
This book gives me hope. Great examples for saving democracy, pitfalls etc. This book is a must read!
Thank you Andrew
May 29, 2026
Actual options for change
I found his writing easy to read and understand. The author's explanation of current law was clear AND his proposals for changes to protect the future were thoroughly presented. I appreciated the hope reflected in these pages. Greatly needed and hopefully a usable template for our recovery after these current dark times. Thank you, Mr Weissmann!
I found his writing easy to read and understand. The author's explanation of current law was clear AND his proposals for changes to protect the future were thoroughly presented. I appreciated the hope reflected in these pages. Greatly needed and hopefully a usable template for our recovery after these current dark times. Thank you, Mr Weissmann!
May 30, 2026
Excellent Read
Well written and clear argument I am a big fan of Andrew and appreciate his hard work and understand his approach
Well written and clear argument I am a big fan of Andrew and appreciate his hard work and understand his approach
May 26, 2026
Quick, informative read detailing how lying can be prosecuted in almost every aspect of our society. But lying about our elections can't. These lies weaken our democracy and destroy public trust. Mr Weissmann explains how, like Germany and Brazil, we can safeguard our democracy against lies perpetrated by any future wannabe strongmen.
May 26, 2026
Practical Solutions for Countering Political Lies
Weismann attacks the problem and consequences of lying by our politicians and offers solutions based on how other countries deal with this phenomena so prevalent today. His suggested solutions are well worth considering.
Weismann attacks the problem and consequences of lying by our politicians and offers solutions based on how other countries deal with this phenomena so prevalent today. His suggested solutions are well worth considering.
May 26, 2026
Just plain truth! This current government is disgraceful and I’m glad there are people that are not afraid to speak 🗣️ the plain facts!
May 24, 2026
This is the book we need for these political times. Not only does Weissmann clearly elaborate the issues, but he also offers practical solutions which can help. Although primarily a legal discussion, Weissmann presents his arguments in a clear, non-technical way that makes it easy to understand. Highly recommend.
May 23, 2026
I am an admirer of Andrew Weissmann and enjoy him when he provides legal analysis and commentary on television. I've been accused of being a "legal nerd" for years because I like reading legislation and appellate court decisions. But this book was a difficult slog for me.
May 21, 2026
A little hope...
June 1, 2026
i am an outlier for my rating. this was very disappointing. the first half is a replay of the past 10 years and the failed lawsuits and prosecutions against the current president. Not sure why this was necessary. unless the reader has been living under a rock. one quarter is a look at laws in France, Germany, and Brazil’s. This was interesting and would have liked more about these laws and their implementation against lower level politicians. Last quarter is discussion of proposed laws and their implementation. Very surface discussion. i have great respect for Andrew Weissman. However, this book could have been an Atlantic article and have just as much impact.
May 21, 2026
Andrew Weissman is a very talented and knowledgeable legal expert who has a knack for explaining the law to someone like me who has a minimal understanding of U.S. law. I appreciate his ability to look at the U.S. states and from other democracies around the world to explain what we could do to make our democracy better, stronger, and resilient.
I would also highly recommend the Illegal News with Sarah Longwell, a Bullwark show. Sarah has Andrew on often to explain to us non-legal people how exactly the current corrupt Trump administration is blatantly breaking the law and expecting Americans to shut up and like it. 5 stars!!
I would also highly recommend the Illegal News with Sarah Longwell, a Bullwark show. Sarah has Andrew on often to explain to us non-legal people how exactly the current corrupt Trump administration is blatantly breaking the law and expecting Americans to shut up and like it. 5 stars!!
June 2, 2026
SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING FOR ANY HIGH SCHOOL AP U.S. GOVERNMENT CLASS
I'm a retired high school social studies teacher. During my tenure I taught mostly freshman world history and U.S. Government to juniors. My husband, who shares my absolute disgust with the state of our country under this current administration, would often ask me how Trump and his sycophants can get away with so many blatant lies was, while perhaps immoral or unethical, it is not against the law in this country for politicians to make false, even egregious ones. Remarkably, these gross untruths are protected by the 1st Amendment. True that if you tell lies that harm another individual our legal system offers protections. You can sue them in civil court (slander if the offense is by spoken word, or libel if it is written), but to speak openly to the public, especially when running for political office, politicians can get away saying most anything.,
It actually is understandable. Who will be the arbiter of what is, and what is not the truth? What if its the political party in power? In a democracy, the truth can be a tricky thing. The Supreme Court has explained that in our society we operate within a "marketplace of ideas." The American people, so the logic goes, are smart enough to, sooner or later, ferret out the truth. In a free society the truth will always eventually prevail! Or will it? Remember Kelly Ann Conway in Trump's first term? The infamous "alternative facts?" Trump is in power undermining our democratic institutions every single day because a large percentage of the populace has drunk his Kool-Aid.
Besides simply trusting (hoping) that we'll eventually "right our ship," isn't there something within the law to stop this blatant dishonesty? Lifelong lawyer, author of two previous books on the law, once the top attorney in the FBI, a team member in the Mueller investigation, NYU law professor, and now MS NOW contributor, Andrew Weissmann takes this question head-on in this high accessible book. He's writing is easy to follow (I was only in the weeds once) and he frames his arguments using his extensive personal experience, as well as precedent from previous cases. He offers practical solutions based on successful models from Brazil, the U.K., Germany, and France who DO hold their politicians to account when they lie to win elections and gain power.
The solution is actually fairly simple. It is not couched in complicated legalize impossible for a lay person to comprehend. Instead of using the "marketplace of ideas" concept, why not apply a far more common concept in our legal system: "beyond a reasonable doubt." This is a high standard, so it's likely our election processes will not be inundated with nefarious charges and accusations. Let a judge and jury decide if a candidate is lying. Don't we deserve truth from our elected leaders? Consequences can be as little as disbarment (the offender is no longer allowed to run for office, sometimes for a set number of years), to fines or even prison.
America is hurting. Weissman has written a prescription(s) that can, at minimum, mitigate this cancer eating at our democratic institutions. We, the electorate, must insist our elected leaders adopt a cure against this corruption or risk losing our democracy!
I'm a retired high school social studies teacher. During my tenure I taught mostly freshman world history and U.S. Government to juniors. My husband, who shares my absolute disgust with the state of our country under this current administration, would often ask me how Trump and his sycophants can get away with so many blatant lies was, while perhaps immoral or unethical, it is not against the law in this country for politicians to make false, even egregious ones. Remarkably, these gross untruths are protected by the 1st Amendment. True that if you tell lies that harm another individual our legal system offers protections. You can sue them in civil court (slander if the offense is by spoken word, or libel if it is written), but to speak openly to the public, especially when running for political office, politicians can get away saying most anything.,
It actually is understandable. Who will be the arbiter of what is, and what is not the truth? What if its the political party in power? In a democracy, the truth can be a tricky thing. The Supreme Court has explained that in our society we operate within a "marketplace of ideas." The American people, so the logic goes, are smart enough to, sooner or later, ferret out the truth. In a free society the truth will always eventually prevail! Or will it? Remember Kelly Ann Conway in Trump's first term? The infamous "alternative facts?" Trump is in power undermining our democratic institutions every single day because a large percentage of the populace has drunk his Kool-Aid.
Besides simply trusting (hoping) that we'll eventually "right our ship," isn't there something within the law to stop this blatant dishonesty? Lifelong lawyer, author of two previous books on the law, once the top attorney in the FBI, a team member in the Mueller investigation, NYU law professor, and now MS NOW contributor, Andrew Weissmann takes this question head-on in this high accessible book. He's writing is easy to follow (I was only in the weeds once) and he frames his arguments using his extensive personal experience, as well as precedent from previous cases. He offers practical solutions based on successful models from Brazil, the U.K., Germany, and France who DO hold their politicians to account when they lie to win elections and gain power.
The solution is actually fairly simple. It is not couched in complicated legalize impossible for a lay person to comprehend. Instead of using the "marketplace of ideas" concept, why not apply a far more common concept in our legal system: "beyond a reasonable doubt." This is a high standard, so it's likely our election processes will not be inundated with nefarious charges and accusations. Let a judge and jury decide if a candidate is lying. Don't we deserve truth from our elected leaders? Consequences can be as little as disbarment (the offender is no longer allowed to run for office, sometimes for a set number of years), to fines or even prison.
America is hurting. Weissman has written a prescription(s) that can, at minimum, mitigate this cancer eating at our democratic institutions. We, the electorate, must insist our elected leaders adopt a cure against this corruption or risk losing our democracy!
June 2, 2026
My hope is that this urgent masterpiece of clarity and concision sparks a massive debate. How ironic, how ridiculous, how tragic that as America approaches the 250th anniversary of the revolution that freed itself from the rule of a mad king, it finds itself under the thumb of another.
Weissmann is wise and realistic to look beyond Trump to those who will succeed him, and who will remember the success and virulence of his lies.
Weissmann's proposed legal remedies made crystal clear sense to this reader, but who can guess the byzantine reasoning of the Supreme Court. Perhaps it may find wisdom, as the author suggests, in similar laws that have been effective in other countries to stop political lying.
The book is not yet published here in the UK, but I hope it sparks debate here too. We Brits have paid dearly for the whoppers told prior to Brexit, and there was no law to stop the lies. Our Representation of the People Act, which the author references, applies only to elections not referendums.
Weissmann is wise and realistic to look beyond Trump to those who will succeed him, and who will remember the success and virulence of his lies.
Weissmann's proposed legal remedies made crystal clear sense to this reader, but who can guess the byzantine reasoning of the Supreme Court. Perhaps it may find wisdom, as the author suggests, in similar laws that have been effective in other countries to stop political lying.
The book is not yet published here in the UK, but I hope it sparks debate here too. We Brits have paid dearly for the whoppers told prior to Brexit, and there was no law to stop the lies. Our Representation of the People Act, which the author references, applies only to elections not referendums.
May 30, 2026
Excellent, constructive ideas for fixing our democracy along with some humor and good stories.
Kudos to the editor - this was a SHORT 4 hour audiobook!
I learned so much about how Bolsinaro and Trump pulled the same election antics, but how Brazilian law protected their country. The idea of a very specific anti election lie law, aimed at candidates trying to do harm (eg still protecting private speech) and possibly a civil law (no immunity or pardon can nullify it) is a great idea!
A very thorough examination of how the law could work and how to avoid unintended consequences/protect all but election denial speech.
Kudos to the editor - this was a SHORT 4 hour audiobook!
I learned so much about how Bolsinaro and Trump pulled the same election antics, but how Brazilian law protected their country. The idea of a very specific anti election lie law, aimed at candidates trying to do harm (eg still protecting private speech) and possibly a civil law (no immunity or pardon can nullify it) is a great idea!
A very thorough examination of how the law could work and how to avoid unintended consequences/protect all but election denial speech.
May 25, 2026
Andrew Weissmann’s Liar’s Kingdom is a frustrating but important read. One of the strongest points the book makes is how we already have laws against lying to Congress, lying in business dealings, and lying under oath, yet politicians can repeatedly spread blatant falsehoods to the public with very little accountability. That disconnect becomes hard to ignore once Weissmann lays it all out.
What also stood out to me was the bizarre reality that falsely claiming you earned the Medal of Honor required its own specific law to address. Somehow, we recognized the harm in fake military valor, but still struggle to meaningfully address deliberate political deception at scale. That contrast says a lot about where our legal and political systems still fall short.
The book can feel repetitive at times, but Weissmann’s legal perspective keeps it grounded and readable. Worth reading if you care about democracy, accountability, and just how fragile truth can become when lying turns into a political strategy.
What also stood out to me was the bizarre reality that falsely claiming you earned the Medal of Honor required its own specific law to address. Somehow, we recognized the harm in fake military valor, but still struggle to meaningfully address deliberate political deception at scale. That contrast says a lot about where our legal and political systems still fall short.
The book can feel repetitive at times, but Weissmann’s legal perspective keeps it grounded and readable. Worth reading if you care about democracy, accountability, and just how fragile truth can become when lying turns into a political strategy.
June 2, 2026
5 stars mostly because I LOVE an identification and analysis of a social problem that actually INCLUDES A POLICY PROPOSAL 💖 it's definitely a very government lawyer approach, but that's exactly what I expected from Weissmann
Would have liked a deeper first amendment dive in the constitutional muster section though
Would have liked a deeper first amendment dive in the constitutional muster section though
June 1, 2026
Andrew Weissmann has been and continues to be a calm voice of sanity, reason and wisdom through the Trump era. I am not a lawyer, nor a US citizen but I found this audiobook shines a light in a dark time. I hope lawmakers in the US will read learn and inwardly digest what Weissmann has to say.
May 29, 2026
Most of us don't realize that lying in an election is not punishable. Yet in this time of political (45-7 and his cronies) and cultural insanity ("influencers" creating news and birthing lies about everything from health to history without proof or training), we need remedies. The book proposes a series of new laws based on laws that actually work in Brazil, France, and Germany.
May 31, 2026
This is a quick read, but there's a lot of legalese. I truly hope the powers that be will heed Mr. Weissmann's words and implement some of these laws.
June 2, 2026
If only. . .
June 3, 2026
An easy read and ideas that make sense—based on laws passed in other democracies—to deal with politicians who tell outright lies, particularly about election results.
May 27, 2026
An important book that everyone should pick up and read. It offers common-sense solutions that are similar to those that have been successfully used in other countries to help strengthen U.S. laws and impose consequences for blatant lies and dishonest misinformation that erode trust in democracy. The reason why Trump and other politicians lie out their asses is because there are no consequences for it. That needs to change and in a hurry.
May 23, 2026
Attorney Andrew Weismann is a former federal prosecutor and a current law professor and legal analyst at MS-Now. I have admired his analysis for quite some time. In this book, Weismann probes the issue of political lying particularly in the time of Donald Trump. He offers some proposals that are complex as well as thought provoking. In most cases, as Weissmann explains, lying by politicians is not illegal. Addressing such issues often conflict with the principle of free speech. The author does not ask the reader or listener to make quick decisions on these matters but rather to spend time thinking about them. I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author.
May 29, 2026
Weissmann lays out a significant singular problem with politics and democracy - lying and the truth - and looks for ways to address that without curbing first amendment freedoms.
This book was both clear about the problem and clear with both the pros and cons of potential solutions he offers. I appreciate the candor, authority, and realistic tenor of this book.
This book was both clear about the problem and clear with both the pros and cons of potential solutions he offers. I appreciate the candor, authority, and realistic tenor of this book.
May 28, 2026
Andrew always offers a measured response to what’s going on. I appreciated his take and attempts to fix our broken systems.
May 25, 2026
Like CEOs are prohibited from lying to their stockholders, Weissmann says US politicians should be prohibited from lying to voters. A great study.
May 23, 2026
Brilliant. Easy to read, not arcane, thought provoking, beautifully crafted.
May 23, 2026
I think non-lawyers will still need several reads of this brief book. Thank God someone s thinking about truth, speech and elections.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews