Hacks On Tap

Hacks On Tap

When David Axelrod and Mike Murphy 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.

  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Calling a Wolf a Wolf (with Jeff Greenfield)
    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.
    1 April 2025, 11:09 pm
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    End to End Incompetence (with Mallory McMorrow)
    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. 
    26 March 2025, 12:26 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Groundwork & Gruntwork (with Steve Israel)
    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!
    19 March 2025, 1:02 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    The Recession Will Be Televised (with Doug Sosnik)
    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!
    11 March 2025, 11:27 pm
  • 59 minutes 17 seconds
    Blitzkrieg of Bullsh*t
    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!
    5 March 2025, 10:52 pm
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Russian Roulette (with Sarah Longwell & Patrick Gaspard)
    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!
    25 February 2025, 10:18 pm
  • 55 minutes 47 seconds
    Vladdy Knows Best (with Rahm Emanuel)
    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!
    19 February 2025, 12:20 am
  • 56 minutes 35 seconds
    Make America Gulf Again (with Jonathan Martin)
    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!
    11 February 2025, 10:47 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Elon and Order (with Kaitlan Collins)
    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.
    4 February 2025, 11:49 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    The Death of Norms (with Robert Costa)
    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!
    29 January 2025, 1:44 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    A Tale of Two Speeches
    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.
    22 January 2025, 12:12 am
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