History of Jonathan Karl in Timeline

Jonathan Karl is an American political journalist and author recognized for his extensive coverage of key political institutions including the White House, Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and the U.S. State Department. His reporting has spanned across more than 30 countries, focusing on U.S. politics, foreign policy, and the military. He's known for his in-depth understanding of American politics and foreign affairs.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1925: Karl's Autobody Founded

In 1925, Jonathan Karl's grandfather, James, founded Karl's Autobody in Stamford, Connecticut, which was later run by Jonathan's father.

January 19, 1968: Jonathan Karl's Birth

On January 19, 1968, Jonathan David Karl was born. He is an American political journalist and author who has covered significant political events throughout his career.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Graduation from Vassar College

In 1990, Jonathan Karl graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar College, where he served as the editor-in-chief of the Vassar Spectator.

1991: Marriage to Maria Nova Catalano

In 1991, Jonathan Karl married Maria Nova Catalano in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

1994: Reporter at the New York Post

In 1994, Jonathan Karl became a reporter at the New York Post, where he covered New York City Hall. He also first interviewed Donald Trump in 1994 for a New York Post article.

1995: Publication of "The Right to Bear Arms: The Rise of America's New Militias"

In 1995, Jonathan Karl authored "The Right to Bear Arms: The Rise of America's New Militias".

The Right to Bear Arms: The Rise of America's New Militia

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1996: Congressional Correspondent at CNN

In 1996, Jonathan Karl was hired by CNN as a Generation X reporter covering politics and later became the network's Congressional Correspondent.

2001: Everett McKinley Dirksen Award

In 2001, Jonathan Karl received the National Press Foundation's Everett McKinley Dirksen Award.

January 2003: Joined ABC News

In January 2003, Jonathan Karl joined ABC News as the Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent, covering the State Department.

December 2005: Senior National Security Correspondent at ABC News

In December 2005, Jonathan Karl became the Senior National Security Correspondent for ABC News.

2006: Emmy Award Nomination

In 2006, Jonathan Karl received an Emmy Award nomination for his coverage of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

2009: Emmy Award

In 2009, Jonathan Karl received an Emmy Award for his coverage of the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama.

2010: Award for Excellence in Washington, D.C. Reporting

In 2010, Jonathan Karl received the Award for excellence in Washington, D.C.–based reporting.

December 2012: Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News

In December 2012, Jonathan Karl became the Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News, a position he held until the end of the first Trump administration.

2012: Benghazi Attack

In 2012, the Benghazi attack occurred, which was later written about by Jonathan Karl in an article in May 2013. The article caused controversy when Karl inaccurately quoted an email about the Obama administration's reaction.

May 2013: Article on Benghazi Attack

In May 2013, Jonathan Karl wrote an article about the reaction of Barack Obama's administration to the 2012 Benghazi attack. He later apologized for inaccurately quoting an email in the article.

2013: Walter Cronkite Award

In 2013, Jonathan Karl received the Walter Cronkite Award for National Individual Achievement.

2015: Award for Excellence in Washington, D.C. Reporting

In 2015, Jonathan Karl received the Award for excellence in Washington, D.C.–based reporting.

March 2020: Release of "Front Row at the Trump Show"

In March 2020, Jonathan Karl's book "Front Row at the Trump Show" was released. The book debuted at number 3 on the New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction best seller list.

Front Row at the Trump Show

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April 19, 2020: "Front Row at the Trump Show" on NYT Bestseller List

On April 19, 2020, "Front Row at the Trump Show" debuted at number 3 on the New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction best seller list.

Front Row at the Trump Show

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2020: Publication of "Front Row at the Trump Show"

In 2020, Jonathan Karl authored "Front Row at the Trump Show", which became a New York Times bestseller.

Front Row at the Trump Show

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2020: Karl's Perspective on Trump White House

In 2020, Jonathan Karl complained in his book that the media coverage of Donald Trump was relentlessly negative. Karl acknowledged in his later book, "Betrayal", that Trump's lies had become deadly.

2020: Analysis of Trump's Last Year in Office

In 2020, Jonathan Karl published "Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show". The Washington Post's book review stated that Karl's account shed light on how Trump nearly succeeded in overthrowing the 2020 election.

2020: Focus on the 2020 Election

In 2020, according to an NPR review of Jonathan Karl's "Betrayal", the book's theme is that the former president obsessively focused on defying the 2020 election result.

2020: Trump's Defense of Rioters

In 2020, according to audio released by Jonathan Karl in March 2021, Donald Trump defended the "hang Mike Pence" chants of rioters during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

January 2021: End of Tenure as Chief White House Correspondent

In January 2021, Jonathan Karl's tenure as the Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News concluded at the end of the Trump administration. He is currently ABC News' Chief Washington correspondent and co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

March 2021: Release of Trump Interview Audio

In March 2021, Jonathan Karl released audio from his March 2021 Trump interview for his book, in which Trump defended the "hang Mike Pence" chants during the January 6 Capitol attack.

March 2021: Paperback Release of "Front Row at the Trump Show"

In March 2021, the paperback version of Jonathan Karl's book "Front Row at the Trump Show" was released and hit number 6 on the New York Times Paperback Nonfiction best seller list.

Front Row at the Trump Show

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November 2021: Release of "Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show"

In November 2021, Jonathan Karl's book "Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show" was released.

Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show

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December 5, 2021: "Betrayal" Debuts on NYT Bestseller List

On December 5, 2021, Jonathan Karl's book, "Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show", debuted at number 3 on the New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction best seller list.

Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show

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2021: Awards and Recognition in 2021

In 2021, Jonathan Karl received the Merriman Smith Memorial Award for Excellence in Presidential News Coverage for his reporting on Donald Trump's infection with COVID-19. Also in 2021, Mediaite named him one of the top 10 "Most Influential in News Media."