Hacks on Tap with David Axelrod and Mike Murphy

The full Hackeroo trio is back in the bunker, wading through a Memorial Day medley of MAGA mayhem. Trump’s at it again — hosting a crypto dinner straight out of “Shark Tank,” taking new aim at Putin, picking trade fights, and going after the Ivy Leagues. Plus, the hacks open up the listener mailbag and dig into your sharpest questions, wildest theories, and most unfiltered takes. Buckle up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Murphy and Heilemann are joined by their old pal Jonathan Martin to wade through the flotsam and jetsam of another jam-packed political week. They discuss the new book about Biden has everyone talking—about his legacy, his future, and now the tragic cancer diagnosis at the center of it all. Plus: the price of eggs, Trump’s spin on inflation, the SALT fight, and so much more!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the Hacks welcome their old friend Rahm Emanuel —- former Chicago mayor, White House chief of staff, U.S. ambassador to Japan, and now CNN political commentator. They taxi down the runway on jet diplomacy, manufacturing strategy, and the challenge of crafting economic messages that actually land. Plus, a deep dive into the old bait-and-switch (and occasional political backstab), Biden’s comms blitz, and the surprisingly spiritual side of the Windy City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by their old pal—the former senator and current director of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics—for a freewheeling conversation on the philosophy (or lack thereof) of Donald Trump. The Hacks break down the so-called “doll economy,” dig into Trump’s latest polling, immigration rhetoric, populist messaging, and yes… the cake eaters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week all three Hacks reunited to cover the first 100 days of the Trump presidency. They dig into the “feral animal cunning” behind Trump’s political instincts, the human toll of his immigration and trade policies, and the raw nerves hit by the latest of tariff uncertainty. And so much more — the Hacks are back! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Murphy is still flying solo—but he's not alone. He's joined by veteran GOP strategist and communications pro Doug Heye, along with Axios senior political reporter Alex Isenstadt, author of the new book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power. The Hacks dig into Senator Chris Van Hollen’s visit with Kilmar Ábrego García, dissect the evolution from Trump 1.0 to Trump 2.0, and unpack all the political mayhem in between. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Mike Murphy is flying solo — but fear not, he’s joined by two heavyweight Hacks: Jonathan Martin, veteran political reporter and senior political columnist for Politico, and Robert Costa, CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent and co-author of Peril with Bob Woodward. Together, they dive into POTUS v. SCOTUS, wrongful deportations, China’s tariff triumphs, Harvard fighting back, deficits, stagflation, strongman stuff, and — naturally — a slew of other uplifting developments in American democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Axe and Murphy are back together -- proof that political gravity always pulls the Hacks back into orbit. They’re joined by legendary Democratic pollster and savant, John Anzalone. The Hacks dive right into Anzalone’s polling, discussing Trump’s tariffs, the stock market vs. the supermarket, the Democratic need to lay out an economic agenda, angels and demons, melting ice sculptures, and so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Mike Murphy is hacking—and not in the good, political way, but in the coughing-his-lungs-out way—so the heroic John Heilemann swoops in to save the day and join David! The Hacks are joined by legendary journalist, author, former RFK speechwriter, and all-around wise guy Jeff Greenfield to break down the Wisconsin Supreme Court showdown, Trump’s third-act trolling, RFK Jr. (the bizarro version), authoritarian antics, tariffs, tax cuts, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow for a deep dive into the week’s political mayhem. The Hacks break down war planning via Signal, Trump’s deportations and legal issues, exploding head emojis, going down the rabbit hole, pyrotechnics, nonsense, and so much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Axe and Murphy were joined by the coolest cat from Congress, Steve Israel! The Hacks discuss Trump’s immigration war, avoiding the Schumer shutdown, warrior mentality, and more. Plus, stick around ‘til the end for an inspiring message from Steve—you’ll be glad you did! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hacks are back, and so is the economy’s latest identity crisis. This week, Heilemann and Murphy are joined by veteran political strategist and former Clinton White House advisor Doug Sosnik! The Hacks break down the tariff wars, Wall Street’s reaction to Trump, the Tesla chainsaw massacre, government waste, the art of friendly media, and much more. Buckle up for some classic Hackery! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s Hack to the future (but worse!) Three bleary-eyed Hacks assemble this morning to break down Trump’s speech—because, apparently, the laws of gravity and politics no longer apply. Axe, Murphy, and Heilemann dissect Democrats’ great appreciation for Musk, debate Elon’s possible motives, unravel a parliament of fluffers, and, of course, gold chainsaws. It’s a total and complete blabfest you won’t want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heilemann’s flying solo this week, but fear not! In the absence of Axe & Murphy, Heilemann is joined by two Hacks renowned for their razor-sharp analysis and impeccable wit: Sarah Longwell and Ambassador Patrick Gaspard. Together, they break down Trump’s presser with Macron, the latest in the Russia-Ukraine saga, the fine art of hiding behind empathy, Elon’s latest 4D chess move (or tantrum?), playing possum, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hack-a-doodle-doo! This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by a familiar face—former regular and now former Ambassador, the great Rahm Emanuel. The Hacks dive into inflation, Trump’s backchannel talks with Putin, DOGE intrusions, the kitten caucus, Eric Adams’ legal troubles, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forget the Super Bowl—Trump’s Gulf of America is the real spectacle this week. Murphy and Heilemann are joined by the expert Hackeroo and savant, Jonathan Martin, to break it all down. JMart dives into his latest POLITICO piece on USAID, while the Hacks dissect Trump’s shade-throwing at JD Vance, looming court battles, Elon Musk’s latest rampage, and a whole lot of political mayhem. Buckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this completely normal, not-at-all bonkers week, Axe and Murphy were joined by White House expert and CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins—who is making her long-overdue Hacks debut. The Hacks break down Elon Musk’s latest antics, mouse traps for Democrats, tariffs, Trump’s cabinet scorecard, the state of the modern Democratic Party, Canada (yes, really), and the ongoing demolition of political norms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Murphy and Heilemann are joined by the great, pen-stained hack, Robert Costa. The Hacks dive into Trump’s first week in office, his aggressive approach to mass deportations, the political impact of his January 6th pardons, outrage exhaustion, security concerns, upcoming nomination votes, CHIPS, tariffs, and so much more. It’s an open-mic-night presidency, and we’re here to walk you through it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three bleary eyed, unpardonable Hacks convened this morning to walk you through yesterday’s circus. They discuss Trump overconsumption, Biden’s pardons, Trumps pardons, setting expectations, the atomic clock of grifting, changing the constitution, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by fan favorite and all-around cool guy Jonathan Martin! The Hacks kick things off with a front-line report from Mike Murphy on the LA wildfires, unpacking the implications for the city and the state’s future. They also dive into the status of Trump’s nominees, the business world cozying up to Trump, Biden’s evolving legacy, and the escalating drama within Trump’s inner circle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices