When David Axelrod, Mike Murphy and Robert Gibbs get together to talk politics, it’s not academic. They speak from the perspective gained through hundreds of campaigns for offices from City Hall to the White House. So if you want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes, where strategic decisions are being made, pull up a stool for Hacks on Tap. Incisive, sometimes uproarious and always entertaining, these political warhorses and their guests will give you insights you’ll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties.
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Orbánized Crime
This week, all three Hacks convened to break down a whirlwind week in politics — from Trump sending troops to Chicago and ICE’s recruitment and tactics, to the contrasting leadership styles of Newsom and Pritzker heading into 2024. They also discuss the shutdown negotiations, Ghislaine’s pardon request, CBS, Prop 50, and a bit of good old-fashioned pearl-clutching. Buckle up! Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
From Watergate to Water-Weight (with Charlie Sykes)
This week Murphy and Heilemann were joined by Charlie Sykes — editor-at-large at The Bulwark, and this week’s Bulwark of reason. The Hacks dive into an exhaustingly eventful week: Hegseth’s body-shaming of our troops, Trump declaring a war from within, the chaotic deployment of ICE and the military to U.S. cities, the looming shutdown, Comey’s indictment, and the first crack in Trump’s armor. And so much more! Photo by Alex Wong via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Unindefinetly (with Kasie Hunt)
This week Axe and Murphy are joined by the formidable Kasie Hunt — anchor of The Arena with Kasie Hunt on CNN, and CNN’s chief national affairs analyst. Together, the Hacks dive into Trump’s UN speech (and his battle with an escalator), the reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel and Trump’s campaign of fear with the FCC as his megaphone, Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, the looming government shutdown, and so much more! Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
I’m right, you’re wrong (with Jonathan Martin)
This week, Axe and Murphy — still a little under the weather but never short on opinions — are joined by Hack regular and ace political analyst Jonathan Martin of Politico. The Hacks take on a turbulent week in American politics: the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s leadership, the rise of rage-bait and true believers, skeleton keys and conspiracy theories, attempts to whitewash U.S. history, and Trump’s royal jaunt to meet the king. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Uninviting Mr. Rogers (with Jen Psaki)
The Hacks are back — and better than ever. To kick off our brand-new partnership with the Vox Media Podcast Network, Axe and Murphy are joined by none other than political heavyweight Jen Psaki — former White House press secretary, MSNBC host, and one of the most incisive voices in politics today.Together, the Hacks tackle the week’s political circus: the “Department of War”, Trump’s troop talk in Chicago, redistricting battles, the Epstein birthday book, New York’s mayoral drama, RFK Jr.’s latest — and plenty more! Hacks on Tap is proudly a part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Soldiers Field (with Rahm Emanuel)
The Hacks are back! There’s just too much news for us to leave you alone, so we’re pulling up a stool with veteran Hackeroo, Chicago native, former White House chief of staff, and U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. The Hacks dive into Trump’s threats to send the National Guard to Chicago, his increasingly loud campaign against mail-in ballots and the 2020 census, the weaponization of the Justice Department, redistricting as a national flashpoint, Big Macs, bridges, and so much more!
Strongmen, Weak Deals (with Ron Brownstein)
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Monumental Power Grab (with Paul Begala)
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Drawn Out Democracy (with Adam Kinzinger)
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From Glasgow With Grift (with Lis Smith)
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