1:12″Retribution,” a new book by Jonathan Karl. Penguin Random House
In an effort to undermine a fellow member of the Cabinet, Howard Lutnick unearthed a decade-old remark where Sean Duffy criticized Donald Trump. This was allegedly done to ruin Duffy’s prospects of being nominated as secretary of transportation, as depicted in a fresh book concerning the 2024 election.
Although the maneuver was ultimately unsuccessful, this episode was one among numerous instances of internal strife and underhanded actions among possible Cabinet appointees, which came to typify Trump’s presidential transition, ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl details in his forthcoming book "Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign that Changed America."
These novel specifics about the transition were initially unveiled in an excerpt from the book, which was released on Thursday in Vanity Fair.
The book chronicles the chaotic period when millionaires, politicians, and TV personalities flocked to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club and residence in Florida to network with prospective governmental leaders and improve their odds of being chosen by Trump. According to Karl, Trump commenced his second term with revitalized assurance, contrasting with his initial term, which he claimed was weakened by disloyal Cabinet members.
"This is completely false. Completely," a representative for the Department of Commerce communicated to ABC News in a statement overnight.
“Retribution,” a new book by Jonathan Karl.Penguin Random House
"The contrast between now and before is that I recognize everyone now, while initially, I knew nobody," Trump conveyed to Karl during a phone conversation in October 2024. "We possessed many outstanding individuals. However, I lacked personal acquaintance with them and had to depend on suggestions. Currently, I am familiar with individuals."
Regardless of his confidence, Trump hesitated to earnestly ponder how he would staff his transition until his triumph was assured, fearing that strategizing an administration prior to securing the election might jeopardize his chances.
"I prefer not to discuss transition until I achieve victory," Trump stated, according to Karl. "Once we win, you and I shall deliberate it. But until you are victorious, I am hesitant to discuss transition."
Under Lutnick’s guidance, the process of choosing appointees was molded to evaluate the qualities Trump esteemed most, according to Karl, who reports:
Discord arose early during the transition period, according to Karl. Upon hearing that Susie Wiles was scheduled to meet with Trump two days after the election to potentially receive an offer for the role of White House chief of staff, two other contenders – Linda McMahon and Brooke Rollins – promptly traveled to Mar-a-Lago to thwart the selection, according to Karl. Upon their arrival, Trump’s aides who were working for Wiles delayed the aspiring Cabinet candidates, even arranging a phone conversation with Vice President-elect JD Vance to hinder them from meeting Trump in time, as per Karl. McMahon and Rollins arrived belatedly, eventually securing positions overseeing the Education and Agriculture departments, respectively.
Lutnick, currently the secretary of commerce, specifically advocated for a former Uber executive to head the Department of Transportation. Upon discovering that Trump was contemplating Duffy — a former Fox Business host and reality TV figure from MTV’s "The Real World" — Lutnick revealed a 2015 interview where Duffy spoke negatively about Trump to ruin his chances of being selected.
Karl reports:
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign that Changed America," penned by ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl, is slated for publication on Oct. 28 and is available for advance purchase at Penguin Random House.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
