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Liar's Kingdom: How To Stop Trump's Deceit and Save Democracy - The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller
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.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2026
About the author
Andrew Weissmann
7 books72 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 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 25, 2026
3.75 marked down.
"Liar's Kingdom" is very solid and important work. Weissmann, a former Assistant U.S. attorney and General Counsel for the FBI (and, according to Donald Trump, a "bad guy"), has the experience and credentials to argue his case about the danger of political lies and what steps might be taken to address the problem. As he demonstrates, freedom of speech is not absolute in the US: there are recognized limitations on what you can and can't say. A company can't, for example, say that its jellybeans cure cancer if they don't. Speech is limited too in defamation cases. Surely willfully misrepresenting the outcome of a presidential election is as damaging to the country as false claims about products and people. He examines US laws that are currently on the books to deal with lies and examines the applicability of those laws to political speech. Then he uses examples of laws from Germany, France, and Brazil, to look at how other countries have dealt with the matter. He fully acknowledges and discusses how those legal, cultural, and political infrastructure differ from ours and how any strategies we adopt from their experience must be adapted to work in the US. He suggests three possible responses, arguing how each might work, how it might be challenged on Constitutional grounds, and what would be needed to overcome such challenges.
The book was written for the general reader, not the legal community. That said, he does -- necessarily -- descend somewhat into the weeds so readers might understand the legal and political contexts and constraints of each proposal. Some readers have understandably found this part of the book slow going. I don't see how Weissmann could have written meaningfully without this material.
I'm not an attorney so I can't pretend to know whether his arguments pass judicial muster. I can only evaluate them in terms of whether I thought he was making sense and that the internal logic of his arguments was consistent. I found him convincing but I'm less than optimistic about his recommendations being adopted.
I share Weissmann's deep concern about the threat Trump's lies (and the lies of virtually everyone in his circle) hold for democracy. The key frustration I have is that any statutory solution to the problem requires that Congress and SCOTUS act with integrity and at least some conviction. As I write this I see little likelihood of either of those bodies rising to the challenge.
"Liar's Kingdom" is very solid and important work. Weissmann, a former Assistant U.S. attorney and General Counsel for the FBI (and, according to Donald Trump, a "bad guy"), has the experience and credentials to argue his case about the danger of political lies and what steps might be taken to address the problem. As he demonstrates, freedom of speech is not absolute in the US: there are recognized limitations on what you can and can't say. A company can't, for example, say that its jellybeans cure cancer if they don't. Speech is limited too in defamation cases. Surely willfully misrepresenting the outcome of a presidential election is as damaging to the country as false claims about products and people. He examines US laws that are currently on the books to deal with lies and examines the applicability of those laws to political speech. Then he uses examples of laws from Germany, France, and Brazil, to look at how other countries have dealt with the matter. He fully acknowledges and discusses how those legal, cultural, and political infrastructure differ from ours and how any strategies we adopt from their experience must be adapted to work in the US. He suggests three possible responses, arguing how each might work, how it might be challenged on Constitutional grounds, and what would be needed to overcome such challenges.
The book was written for the general reader, not the legal community. That said, he does -- necessarily -- descend somewhat into the weeds so readers might understand the legal and political contexts and constraints of each proposal. Some readers have understandably found this part of the book slow going. I don't see how Weissmann could have written meaningfully without this material.
I'm not an attorney so I can't pretend to know whether his arguments pass judicial muster. I can only evaluate them in terms of whether I thought he was making sense and that the internal logic of his arguments was consistent. I found him convincing but I'm less than optimistic about his recommendations being adopted.
I share Weissmann's deep concern about the threat Trump's lies (and the lies of virtually everyone in his circle) hold for democracy. The key frustration I have is that any statutory solution to the problem requires that Congress and SCOTUS act with integrity and at least some conviction. As I write this I see little likelihood of either of those bodies rising to the challenge.
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 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 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!
June 6, 2026
The last few weeks lends a great deal of credence to the ideas and positions offered by former federal prosecutor, NYU Law professor, and MS NOW contributor Andrew Weissmann. The American people have experienced a President who has put forth a plan to pay convicted January 6th followers from a fund of close to $1.8 billion and provide himself and his family immunity from IRS prosecution from actions taken in the past and what could occur in the future. Further, the man responsible for the fund, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has continued to lie and cover up the Epstein files and prosecute anyone President Trump would like to seek revenge against (yesterday it was announced he was being put forward to be the permanent Attorney General). Trump has also nominated Bill Puilte as DNI to oversee all intelligence services even though he has no experience in the field and his main calling has been to dig up dirt on Trump’s perceived enemies. We are also exposed to the daily untruths put forth by Mark Wayne Mullin, the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security dealing with immigration issues and justifying the actions taken by ICE. If that is not enough we can watch the briefings offered by Pete Hesgeth, the Secretary of Defense justifying the murder of people on the open seas and further lies dealing with the conduct and state of the war with Iran. Then there is NSC head and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s verbal machinations about the war in Iran, the state of negotiations, and positions the President actually believes in. Apart from the daily lies offered by the President on a myriad of issues be it the 2020 election, funding for his new ballroom, the reflecting pool, and massive arch he wants to build the public has become increasingly cognizant of the vast sums, roughly $4 billion the Trump family has amassed since Trump’s second term began. In addition, Trump has used “insider trading” to the tune of millions of dollars to augment his personal wealth. The operative words in all of these examples are fraud and lies.
Some might argue that what I have written is too partisan and over the years Democrats are just as guilty. I would point out that history and incontrovertible facts would disagree. The question must be raised; is there a solution to all the lying and corruption that screams from the headlines each day. In his latest book, LIAR’S KINGDOM: HOW TO STOP TRUMP’S DECEIT AND SAVE AMERICA, Andrew Wiessmann reviews examples of corruption and lies and how politicians get away with it and offers solutions on how we can hold people accountable for their actions and statements to try to invigorate our democracy. In a blend of personal observations and sound legal opinions Weissmann confronts the “chipping away of the rule of law” that has been ongoing the last few years. According to the author we need to shore up our legal system against demagogues who seek to use lies to destroy our democracy. Candidly, Weissmann asks why can people lie in politics, to gain office, power, and wealth with no legal consequence, when in other areas of lying and fraud they can be prosecuted? It is clear we are a nation awash in lies and fraud.
Weissmann offers a number of examples to support his critique. The one that is repeated over and over in the monograph is that the 2020 election was a fraud and that Trump actually won (which he repeats on a daily basis). This has become a litmus test for Trump and anyone serving in the government. Trump is allowed to get away with the lies because there is no criminal law that says the lie is illegal – no civil law imposes any punishment for such falsehoods. In the end one-third of Americans support these lies.
Weissmann draws on his vast prosecutorial experience to provide examples of when lies can be prosecuted. He delves into the Enron case highlighted by the actions of Kenneth Lay who was effectively prosecuted as his lies brought material benefit. He focuses on organized crime centered on Vincent Gigante and the Genovese mob family, the environmental lies of Volkswagen and others. Remarkably it is a crime to lie to shareholders, it is a crime to lie to Congress, but it is not a crime to lie to the public. The problem is that lies metastases – i.e., J6 pardons, ICE enforcement and its consequences. We now learn that out of the 1500 J6 people pardoned, 97 have been charged with new crimes unrelated to J6, a number of which deal with sexual abuse and violence.
Our current media marketplace exacerbates the problem as it permits lies to flourish with no accountability. Weissmann is dead on arguing that our “media marketplace is polluted with propaganda, disinformation, and emotional manipulation all in the guise of defending the First Amendment. In short, authoritarians use the cloak of the freedom of speech to promulgate false factual speech and drown out the truth.” With the arrival of AI differentiating the public lie from the public truth is only going to grow harder in the future and as a society we have no strategy to deal with it.
Since we have no domestic solutions to try and mitigate the problem of fraud and lies in the public sphere Weissmann turns to other countries for possible solutions. He explores the case of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil. An example that mirrors that of Trump and how the Brazilian parliament has passed laws that rest on the premise that people have the right to truthful information in elections that supersedes the right of free speech when deliberate falsehoods threaten the democratic order. In France Marine Le Pen is barred from holding office for five years because she engaged in embezzlement and was convicted. In Germany there are laws that forbid free speech pertaining to a particular subject, denying the existence of the Holocaust is a prime example. Interestingly, the United States has laws that do not allow convicted felons to run for office, but it is only a state statute and does not exist on the federal level.
Weissmann proposes a Truth in Elections Act built on existing law. The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 redrawn in 2013 criminalizes lying about military honors with the “intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits” which has survived a Supreme Court challenge. For Weissmann the courts are the key to any reform. Due process has the ability to get at the truth – we have a jury system that in most cases people take seriously. However, you need a Justice Department that is not headed by the President’s personal lawyer whose sole purpose is to carry out the revenge whims of the occupant of the White House. Some might find Weissmann’s short volume a polemic, however, his views are based on facts and the law, two things that most people would have difficulty arguing with, unless your name is Trump.
Some might argue that what I have written is too partisan and over the years Democrats are just as guilty. I would point out that history and incontrovertible facts would disagree. The question must be raised; is there a solution to all the lying and corruption that screams from the headlines each day. In his latest book, LIAR’S KINGDOM: HOW TO STOP TRUMP’S DECEIT AND SAVE AMERICA, Andrew Wiessmann reviews examples of corruption and lies and how politicians get away with it and offers solutions on how we can hold people accountable for their actions and statements to try to invigorate our democracy. In a blend of personal observations and sound legal opinions Weissmann confronts the “chipping away of the rule of law” that has been ongoing the last few years. According to the author we need to shore up our legal system against demagogues who seek to use lies to destroy our democracy. Candidly, Weissmann asks why can people lie in politics, to gain office, power, and wealth with no legal consequence, when in other areas of lying and fraud they can be prosecuted? It is clear we are a nation awash in lies and fraud.
Weissmann offers a number of examples to support his critique. The one that is repeated over and over in the monograph is that the 2020 election was a fraud and that Trump actually won (which he repeats on a daily basis). This has become a litmus test for Trump and anyone serving in the government. Trump is allowed to get away with the lies because there is no criminal law that says the lie is illegal – no civil law imposes any punishment for such falsehoods. In the end one-third of Americans support these lies.
Weissmann draws on his vast prosecutorial experience to provide examples of when lies can be prosecuted. He delves into the Enron case highlighted by the actions of Kenneth Lay who was effectively prosecuted as his lies brought material benefit. He focuses on organized crime centered on Vincent Gigante and the Genovese mob family, the environmental lies of Volkswagen and others. Remarkably it is a crime to lie to shareholders, it is a crime to lie to Congress, but it is not a crime to lie to the public. The problem is that lies metastases – i.e., J6 pardons, ICE enforcement and its consequences. We now learn that out of the 1500 J6 people pardoned, 97 have been charged with new crimes unrelated to J6, a number of which deal with sexual abuse and violence.
Our current media marketplace exacerbates the problem as it permits lies to flourish with no accountability. Weissmann is dead on arguing that our “media marketplace is polluted with propaganda, disinformation, and emotional manipulation all in the guise of defending the First Amendment. In short, authoritarians use the cloak of the freedom of speech to promulgate false factual speech and drown out the truth.” With the arrival of AI differentiating the public lie from the public truth is only going to grow harder in the future and as a society we have no strategy to deal with it.
Since we have no domestic solutions to try and mitigate the problem of fraud and lies in the public sphere Weissmann turns to other countries for possible solutions. He explores the case of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil. An example that mirrors that of Trump and how the Brazilian parliament has passed laws that rest on the premise that people have the right to truthful information in elections that supersedes the right of free speech when deliberate falsehoods threaten the democratic order. In France Marine Le Pen is barred from holding office for five years because she engaged in embezzlement and was convicted. In Germany there are laws that forbid free speech pertaining to a particular subject, denying the existence of the Holocaust is a prime example. Interestingly, the United States has laws that do not allow convicted felons to run for office, but it is only a state statute and does not exist on the federal level.
Weissmann proposes a Truth in Elections Act built on existing law. The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 redrawn in 2013 criminalizes lying about military honors with the “intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits” which has survived a Supreme Court challenge. For Weissmann the courts are the key to any reform. Due process has the ability to get at the truth – we have a jury system that in most cases people take seriously. However, you need a Justice Department that is not headed by the President’s personal lawyer whose sole purpose is to carry out the revenge whims of the occupant of the White House. Some might find Weissmann’s short volume a polemic, however, his views are based on facts and the law, two things that most people would have difficulty arguing with, unless your name is Trump.
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 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 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.
June 10, 2026
The thing is, unless and until the Republican Party stops being a nest of spite-driven ignorant cult members fueled by nothing but greed and hate, then nothing can or will save America.
But! I really appreciated this book a lot, because Weissmann brings a very measured yet forthright and well-informed view to the issues raised in it, and his ideas are not just smart and interesting, they are also wholly feasible...if, as I said, we ever get back to having an at least mostly sane GOP, not to mention a Supreme Court that isn't stacked with six bitter grievance mongers doing the party's bidding. The posited new laws/statutes that Weissmann suggests are eminently reasonable and would really not be that difficult to implement, and I agree that they could go a long way toward preventing a future iteration of Trump and the fever he brought in with him.
For me personally, as someone who pays a lot of attention to the news, the earlier chapters where he was going through the details of certain things like the 2020 election, January 6, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, etc, went into a little more detail than I thought was necessary. But I recognize that not everyone reading this book is going to be as familiar with all of this stuff and I do think it's valuable to really lay it all out there for people to take in before going into the "and here's what we can do" sections.
Definitely a worthwhile and important book for these current times. Also, Andrew didn't say it but I will: If you wanna save America, vote blue in the fucking midterms. Because if we can take back Congress, that's a huge step toward that goal.
But! I really appreciated this book a lot, because Weissmann brings a very measured yet forthright and well-informed view to the issues raised in it, and his ideas are not just smart and interesting, they are also wholly feasible...if, as I said, we ever get back to having an at least mostly sane GOP, not to mention a Supreme Court that isn't stacked with six bitter grievance mongers doing the party's bidding. The posited new laws/statutes that Weissmann suggests are eminently reasonable and would really not be that difficult to implement, and I agree that they could go a long way toward preventing a future iteration of Trump and the fever he brought in with him.
For me personally, as someone who pays a lot of attention to the news, the earlier chapters where he was going through the details of certain things like the 2020 election, January 6, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, etc, went into a little more detail than I thought was necessary. But I recognize that not everyone reading this book is going to be as familiar with all of this stuff and I do think it's valuable to really lay it all out there for people to take in before going into the "and here's what we can do" sections.
Definitely a worthwhile and important book for these current times. Also, Andrew didn't say it but I will: If you wanna save America, vote blue in the fucking midterms. Because if we can take back Congress, that's a huge step toward that goal.
June 20, 2026
What this book isn’t: A book k meant to simply bash Trump. Rather, it’s an intelligent description of how our Constitution falls short of protecting us from lies that affect our elections. The author is a constitutional law professor and former DOJ lawyer with extensive experience and I have been listening to him for years and I always learn from him. What’s great about this book is that he not only outlines the problems with politically motivated lies but also he lists examples of three other countries that have consequences of knowingly spreading untruths to change the outcome of elections. Brazil, France and Germany all have laws to keep politicians from doing this. He also gives three examples of hypothetical laws that would protect our country from this problem. It is informative and very easy to follow and even offers some hope to what seems like an unfixable problem. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the author. It’s a hart book,only around 4 hours so it doesn’t drone on with needless information. It gets right to the point. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in salvaging the integrity of our elections.
June 22, 2026
Author Andrew Weissmann discusses the pervasive lies that are being disseminated to the public by politicians and spread by the media. But he doesn’t just call out the untruths, he offers examples of ways that other countries have dealt with similar problems through enacting laws that make politicians and lawmakers accountable. However, it is incumbent on the voters to elect representatives who will actually enact the laws necessary to shore up our democracy. This is such an important book, especially as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the USA.
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.
June 29, 2026
Brief and extraordinarily clear. Reminds me of some of Lincoln’s analyses. Very elegant and a pleasure to read. Highly recommended
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!!
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.
June 8, 2026
A Strong Case for Accountability, but What Comes Next? ⚖️
Andrew Weissmann’s Liar’s Kingdom begins with a fascinating premise. 🤔 He points out that in the United States there are numerous laws that prohibit false statements—you can’t lie to Congress, lie on a loan application, or lie to the IRS. Yet despite these protections against dishonesty, there are no broad laws that prohibit politicians from lying to the American electorate. Weissmann contrasts this with countries such as Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, which have various legal mechanisms aimed at holding political leaders accountable for knowingly false statements. 🌎
His central argument is that the United States should consider similar measures because unchecked political dishonesty can further erode trust in our democratic institutions. 🏛️
I was already familiar with Andrew Weissmann from seeing him on MSNOW. He is clearly a brilliant attorney with an impressive background and wealth of experience. 👨⚖️ However, I found myself wondering whether this book may resonate more strongly with lawyers, legal scholars, and policy experts than with the general public.
While I understood and appreciated the concepts he was presenting, parts of the book felt somewhat dry and difficult to engage with. 📖 The discussion is naturally framed through a legal lens—as one would expect from a former prosecutor and attorney—which at times made it feel more like a legal argument than a broad public conversation. I often found myself wanting the book to move beyond the hypothetical and spend more time exploring practical questions: How would these ideas actually be implemented? What steps would be required to turn them into law? Is there a realistic path for building public support and political momentum behind such reforms? 🤷♀️
I also found myself wrestling with some of the practical challenges. For example, when journalists fact-check political debates, they frequently identify false or misleading statements from candidates on all sides. 📰 But are all of those statements intentional lies? Or are some the result of confusion, faulty memory, misunderstanding, or the pressure of responding in real time during a high-stakes debate? Weissmann discusses mechanisms for correcting false statements after the fact, but I wondered whether that could become an endless paper chase or whether there is a workable middle ground that balances accountability with reality. ⚖️
To be clear, I support the broader goal of holding politicians accountable for deliberate deception. ✅ I simply wanted more discussion about how these ideas could move from theory to practice and what safeguards would be needed to make them fair and effective.
Ultimately, I think the book raises important questions and presents thought-provoking ideas. 💭 My challenge was not with the substance of the argument but with the presentation. I often felt there was a mismatch between the intended audience and my experience as an interested general reader. I wanted to connect with the book more than I did, but the legalistic approach sometimes made that difficult.
For that reason, I settled on a four-star rating. The ideas are compelling and worthy of discussion, but I would have appreciated a more accessible and practical exploration of how they might work in the real world.
Andrew Weissmann’s Liar’s Kingdom begins with a fascinating premise. 🤔 He points out that in the United States there are numerous laws that prohibit false statements—you can’t lie to Congress, lie on a loan application, or lie to the IRS. Yet despite these protections against dishonesty, there are no broad laws that prohibit politicians from lying to the American electorate. Weissmann contrasts this with countries such as Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, which have various legal mechanisms aimed at holding political leaders accountable for knowingly false statements. 🌎
His central argument is that the United States should consider similar measures because unchecked political dishonesty can further erode trust in our democratic institutions. 🏛️
I was already familiar with Andrew Weissmann from seeing him on MSNOW. He is clearly a brilliant attorney with an impressive background and wealth of experience. 👨⚖️ However, I found myself wondering whether this book may resonate more strongly with lawyers, legal scholars, and policy experts than with the general public.
While I understood and appreciated the concepts he was presenting, parts of the book felt somewhat dry and difficult to engage with. 📖 The discussion is naturally framed through a legal lens—as one would expect from a former prosecutor and attorney—which at times made it feel more like a legal argument than a broad public conversation. I often found myself wanting the book to move beyond the hypothetical and spend more time exploring practical questions: How would these ideas actually be implemented? What steps would be required to turn them into law? Is there a realistic path for building public support and political momentum behind such reforms? 🤷♀️
I also found myself wrestling with some of the practical challenges. For example, when journalists fact-check political debates, they frequently identify false or misleading statements from candidates on all sides. 📰 But are all of those statements intentional lies? Or are some the result of confusion, faulty memory, misunderstanding, or the pressure of responding in real time during a high-stakes debate? Weissmann discusses mechanisms for correcting false statements after the fact, but I wondered whether that could become an endless paper chase or whether there is a workable middle ground that balances accountability with reality. ⚖️
To be clear, I support the broader goal of holding politicians accountable for deliberate deception. ✅ I simply wanted more discussion about how these ideas could move from theory to practice and what safeguards would be needed to make them fair and effective.
Ultimately, I think the book raises important questions and presents thought-provoking ideas. 💭 My challenge was not with the substance of the argument but with the presentation. I often felt there was a mismatch between the intended audience and my experience as an interested general reader. I wanted to connect with the book more than I did, but the legalistic approach sometimes made that difficult.
For that reason, I settled on a four-star rating. The ideas are compelling and worthy of discussion, but I would have appreciated a more accessible and practical exploration of how they might work in the real world.
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 15, 2026
I listened to the unabridged 5-hour audio version of this title (read by the author, Hachette Audio, 2026).
Weissmann, MSNOW legal analyst and veteran federal prosecutor, offers a lawyerly view of how political lies are breaking our democracy and what to do about it. Most political lies in the US carry no consequences and can't be prosecuted. Exceptions include lying under oath, lying to Congress, lying to federal agents, lying to financial institutions, and lies that constitute libel. Even in such cases, prosecution and punishment are rare. Donald Trump has faced no legal penalties for his repeated lies about the 2020 election, as well as a barrage of other lies to the American people.
Weissmann wonders why lying to the American people to gain votes and win public office is treated as a less-serious offense than lying to Congress or to an FBI agent. In the case of Trump's lies about the 2020 election, libel lies do not apply, because he does not accuse a specific individual or company. Rudy Giuliani, who accused a couple of election workers of cheating, and Fox News, that accused a voting-machines company of fraudulent modification of votes, were ordered by courts to pay hefty sums to the victims. But Trump does not name names, claiming simply that "they" or "the deep state" cheated to make him lose. All of his claims have been dismissed by courts, yet he has not been held responsible for endlessly repeating the same lies.
Other countries do have laws against lying to the people. For example, Brazil tried former President Jair Bolsonaro for lying about election fraud and punished him with a 27-year jail sentence. It can be argued that lying to millions of people in order to win elections is a more-serious offense than lying about one person (libel), yet our laws do not have provisions for punishing the former. The Stolen Valor Act, which punishes anyone who lies about having won, say, a Medal of Honor (because of the harm done to the real winners of the honor), is the closest thing we have to the new laws Weissmann advocates.
Weissmann argues that "the right to truthful information in elections supersedes the unfettered right to free speech when deliberate falsehoods are made that threaten the democratic order." He suggests that "truth in advertising" should extend to politics, and that candidates who lie should be disqualified from running for public office.
Weissmann, MSNOW legal analyst and veteran federal prosecutor, offers a lawyerly view of how political lies are breaking our democracy and what to do about it. Most political lies in the US carry no consequences and can't be prosecuted. Exceptions include lying under oath, lying to Congress, lying to federal agents, lying to financial institutions, and lies that constitute libel. Even in such cases, prosecution and punishment are rare. Donald Trump has faced no legal penalties for his repeated lies about the 2020 election, as well as a barrage of other lies to the American people.
Weissmann wonders why lying to the American people to gain votes and win public office is treated as a less-serious offense than lying to Congress or to an FBI agent. In the case of Trump's lies about the 2020 election, libel lies do not apply, because he does not accuse a specific individual or company. Rudy Giuliani, who accused a couple of election workers of cheating, and Fox News, that accused a voting-machines company of fraudulent modification of votes, were ordered by courts to pay hefty sums to the victims. But Trump does not name names, claiming simply that "they" or "the deep state" cheated to make him lose. All of his claims have been dismissed by courts, yet he has not been held responsible for endlessly repeating the same lies.
Other countries do have laws against lying to the people. For example, Brazil tried former President Jair Bolsonaro for lying about election fraud and punished him with a 27-year jail sentence. It can be argued that lying to millions of people in order to win elections is a more-serious offense than lying about one person (libel), yet our laws do not have provisions for punishing the former. The Stolen Valor Act, which punishes anyone who lies about having won, say, a Medal of Honor (because of the harm done to the real winners of the honor), is the closest thing we have to the new laws Weissmann advocates.
Weissmann argues that "the right to truthful information in elections supersedes the unfettered right to free speech when deliberate falsehoods are made that threaten the democratic order." He suggests that "truth in advertising" should extend to politics, and that candidates who lie should be disqualified from running for public office.
June 28, 2026
Most folks who pick up this book are likely aware of Andrew Weissmann's voluminous and impressive resume: law professor at the NYU School of Law, lead counsel in the Mueller investigation, general counsel of the FBI, leader of the Enron task force, and organized crime prosecutor. The much admired legal analyst's Liar's Kingdom is a slim book, fewer than 200 pages, the last thirty or so notes and index. Because of Weismann's clear, easy voice, it is not a difficult read.
Weissmann is a gem, expert at explaining in terms that a non-lawyer can absorb. It is apparent that he is a teacher. His thesis lays out how we can change laws to prohibit lies in election cycles, the breaking of which would come with consequences. He lays out his case specifically, cogently, and clearly, while following the Constitution, tweaking current law, and examining examples of other countries--Brazil, France, and Germany, and the UK.
Liar's Kingdom is a must read for anyone who cares about our precious democracy and who hopes to save it from being destroyed by the unrelenting profusion of egregious lies and deceit.
Today, we face a choice...Do we allow the deliberate erosion of truth in the name of a nonexistent 'right to lie?' Or do we act to preserve a shared factual foundation for democratic decision-making? When lies about election integrity go unchecked and become party orthodoxy, we are no longer voting in a democracy. (p. 171)
Weissmann is a gem, expert at explaining in terms that a non-lawyer can absorb. It is apparent that he is a teacher. His thesis lays out how we can change laws to prohibit lies in election cycles, the breaking of which would come with consequences. He lays out his case specifically, cogently, and clearly, while following the Constitution, tweaking current law, and examining examples of other countries--Brazil, France, and Germany, and the UK.
Liar's Kingdom is a must read for anyone who cares about our precious democracy and who hopes to save it from being destroyed by the unrelenting profusion of egregious lies and deceit.
Today, we face a choice...Do we allow the deliberate erosion of truth in the name of a nonexistent 'right to lie?' Or do we act to preserve a shared factual foundation for democratic decision-making? When lies about election integrity go unchecked and become party orthodoxy, we are no longer voting in a democracy. (p. 171)
July 4, 2026
In this book, the author demonstrates his knowledge gained through an outstanding career in law. He poses the question of what to do when a politician like President Trump acts as an unchecked king who stomps on the system in our country of checks and balances in an appalling abuse of power, when truth no longer matters and politicians lie without consequence. For many years Weissmann has served in multiple ways to go after unchecked power. He is presently a NYU law school professor and a legal analyst with MS NOW. He teaches courses in national security and criminal procedure. He is a graduate of Princeton and Columbia Law School. Weissmann acted as Director of the Enron Task Force and more recently worked with Robert Mueller's Special Counsel Office (2017-2019) to investigate Russian interference in our elections. He spent fifteen years as federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York where he prosecuted organized crime in Brooklyn as Chief of Criminal Division. He is a veteran of the FBI Department of Justice and the author of several books.
At the end of the book he offers suggestions, many based on a study of what other countries have done to handle lies. He offers solutions for how to stop someone like President Trump from holding office in the future and also recommendations for how to save our democracy.
At the end of the book he offers suggestions, many based on a study of what other countries have done to handle lies. He offers solutions for how to stop someone like President Trump from holding office in the future and also recommendations for how to save our democracy.
June 6, 2026
First off I am not an attorney or a constitutional scholar so I am the perfect target to this book. Mr. Weissmann lays out his narrative in clear and conscise manner that a lay person can understand that is devoid of legal jargon and provides an understandable path to possibly dealing with executive branch overreach. The 300 page book is divided into roughly two equal sections.The first reviews how we got to where we are in the current political environment. It was eye opening to discover that intentional lying to the public holds no legal liability/repercussions as does lying in court or before Congress and as a result lying in the political arena has become the norm. As a result, Mr Weissmann in the second half of the bood describes how we can rectify this condition based on legislation and the formulation of new statuetes similar to how other countries such as Brazil have dealt with this issue. If you don't need a review of the events that led to our coindition it would be easy to skim the first half and spend your time reviewing the second half of his proposed remedy. It will be time well spent.
July 6, 2026
I find Andrew Weissmann's legal commentary when he appears on MS Now to be easy to understand and always compelling. So I was excited to read his new book which offers concrete solutions to the incredibly out-of-hand lying that has become the mainstay of the Trump administration to the point of numbing America. For those who may not know, Weissmann was former General Consul to the FBI and a Prosecuting Attorney who brought down the Enron criminals and served on Robert Mueller's commission. (He's also been a frequent target of this President.) This book is written with the layperson in mind, not legal scholars (although they may enjoy it as well.) I really appreciated his sharing of what we can learn from other countries who have stricter guardrails in place like Germany, France and Brazil. If you are an American and agree that Democracy, as we have known it for 250 years, is facing an existential crisis, then this is must reading for you. And for those who think everything is hunky dory and it will all work out, the courts will save us, existing checks and balances are all we need to survive as a nation, well, then this is also must reading for you.
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.
June 12, 2026
Andrew Weissmann is one of the most experienced and successful prosecutors in government service. He is one of my heroes. In this book he takes on an issue that has perplexed me ever since Richard Nixon ran for president in 1968. He was a flagrant liar. But unlike the current prevaricator in the White House, Nixon never lied about the election process in various states and even nationally. Trump is a sociopath, so lying is like breathing for him.
Weissmann takes on the issue of lying by politicians running for office. He takes the reader through 3 possible laws that would punish those who lie to cast doubt on the election process. Each possible solution comes from other countries. Believe it or not, many other countries have laws against lying to get into office. He takes us through the laws in Brazil, France and Germany.Andrew Weissmann is a brilliant, deeply experienced lawyer. He is also a patriot. I think every citizen should read this book. We need to address this problem now, before it becomes any worse.
Weissmann takes on the issue of lying by politicians running for office. He takes the reader through 3 possible laws that would punish those who lie to cast doubt on the election process. Each possible solution comes from other countries. Believe it or not, many other countries have laws against lying to get into office. He takes us through the laws in Brazil, France and Germany.Andrew Weissmann is a brilliant, deeply experienced lawyer. He is also a patriot. I think every citizen should read this book. We need to address this problem now, before it becomes any worse.
June 30, 2026
This was a very short, very focused book. Weissman presents a single possible solution for consideration in response to Trump and the current political landscape: make it illegal for people to tell blatant lies about the election process and make this punishable by a temporary disqualification in holding public office. It almost feels too small. But Weissman is looking for practical solutions, which means that they must be possible to both implement and enforce.
Most of the book is given over to arguments about why this would be effective without overstepping. Americans are greatly concerned with freedom of speech and Weissman is greatly concerned with demonstrating that criminalizing lies would not infringe on that right. It got a little too in the weeds for me, but I can appreciate both what he's proposing and why he felt the need to make such a thorough argument in support of such a small change.
Most of the book is given over to arguments about why this would be effective without overstepping. Americans are greatly concerned with freedom of speech and Weissman is greatly concerned with demonstrating that criminalizing lies would not infringe on that right. It got a little too in the weeds for me, but I can appreciate both what he's proposing and why he felt the need to make such a thorough argument in support of such a small change.
July 9, 2026
I listened to the audiobook, read by the author. Weissmann summarizes the situation of the US federal government as of early 2026 and proposes three additions to federal law that might begin to prevent its recurrance while preserving the First Amendment to the US constitution. I plan to review his proposed laws more carefully than a single listening session allows. Given his history as federal prosecutor, counsel to the FBI and Mueller investigation, and law professor, he certainly has the expertise to offer proposals of this nature that have real potential to correct some current legal shortfalls. The text also encompasses his personal experiences of being targeted by Trump as a result of his role in the Mueller investigation as well as personal reflections. Good book, very concise, easily finished in two sessions.
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