Hacks On Tap

“What Are We Doing?”

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Hacks convene for what was supposed to be an election night recap but instead was an all too familiar discussion on gun violence in America. Axe, ...

The MAGA Midterms?

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Murphy break down the results from the primary races in a number of key states in this special edition of Hacks on Tap. They discuss the highl...

Personality Politics (with Jonathan Martin & Alex Burns)

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve reached maximum Hacks capacity this week with not one but two guest Hacks, Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns of The New York Times. They join Axe...

SCOTUS Leaks and Ohio Speaks

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy followed the bat signal and convened for a special edition of Hacks on Tap. They discuss the results of the Ohio primary electi...

Mouse Trap: DeSantis vs. Disney (with Mark McKinnon)

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mark McKinnon, executive producer and co-host of The Circus, joins Axe and Gibbs to talk about Ron DeSantis’ war with Mickey Mouse, leaked audio of ...

Ping Pong Politics (with Whit Ayres)

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whit Ayres, Republican pollster and strategist, joins Gibbs and Murphy to talk about the power of Trump’s endorsement in primary races, the states t...

Some Other Dude Did It (with Paul Begala)

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Begala, CNN contributor and former counselor to President Bill Clinton, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss rising consumer prices, the “some other...

Introducing Reflections of History with Jon Meacham

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

C13 Originals and Pulitzer Prize winner and best-selling author Jon Meacham, co-creators of the 2021 Webby Award-winning Best Podcast Series It Was Sa...

Gas & Groceries (with Steve Israel)

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Former Congressman and chair of the DCCC Steve Israel joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the domestic policy challenges that stem from the war in Ukrai...

The Walkback of the Walkback

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Axe and Gibbs were joined by the inimitable New York Times reporter and CNN analyst Maggie Haberman to discuss Biden’s trip to Poland, the...

Chronicles of the Culture Wars (with Ron Brownstein)

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist and CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearin...

Bad For Business (with Stephanie Cutter)

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Democratic strategist and communications guru Stephanie Cutter joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing cr...

Margin of Error (with Mark Mellman)

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pollster Mark Mellman joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the domestic political implications of Biden’s decision to ban Russian energy imports, how D...

State of the State of the Union

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Hacks convene for a special late-night recap of President Biden’s first State of the Union address. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy discuss Biden’s reb...

The State of the Union Is… (with Jon Favreau)

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jon Favreau, co-host of Pod Save America, host of Offline, and former speechwriter for Barack Obama, joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss Biden’s conde...

The RINO Rebellion? (with Amy Walter)

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the latest in the T...

Legitimate Political Discourse

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Not one but two guest Hacks join Axe this week while Murphy and Gibbs are away on assignment. John Heilemann, Executive Editor of The Recount, and Ama...

Eruption of Mt. Orange

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the Hacks assemble to mark episode number 150. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy discuss the strength of Trump’s grip on the GOP, the latest in the ...

Reset Report Card (with Jennifer Palmieri)

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer Palmieri, co-host of Showtime’s The Circus and former White House communications director, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss Biden’s hot mic...

The Almighty vs The Alternative (with Jonathan Martin)

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the anniversary of President Biden’s inauguration approaches, the Hacks called in Jonathan Martin, a national political correspondent for The New...

Joltin’ Joe Comes Out Swinging (with Addisu Demissie)

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Democratic political strategist Addisu Demissie joins Axe and Murphy to discuss President Biden’s speech on the anniversary of the January 6th attac...

The Madman Behind The Curtain

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mark McKinnon, the Stetson-wearing executive producer and co-host of Showtime’s the Circus, joins Gibbs and Murphy to help the Hacks kick off 2022. ...

Hacky Holidays, Mailbag Edition!

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To mark the end of 2021, Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy convene for a special holiday mailbag edition of Hacks on Tap. The Hacks discuss Manchin’s Build Bac...

GOPuppets (with Steve Bullock)

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the warning signs he sees for Democrats in rural America, the messaging challeng...

20/24 Vision (with Bill Kristol)

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark and director of Defending Democracy Together, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss some of the must-watch races...

Kitten Swipes and Variant Fights (with John Heilemann)

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Heilemann, executive editor of The Recount and host of the Hell & High Water podcast, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the political ramifications...

Inflation Nation (with Tony Fabrizio)

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Veteran Republican pollster and strategist Tony Fabrizio joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the long-awaited signing of the bipartisan infrastructure bil...

Process Over Substance (with Amy Walter)

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss the disconnect between the posi...

Dems In Disarray?

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy assemble to discuss Election Day 2021, including the rough night for Democrats, the impact of national politics on local races,...

Off To The Races (with Dave Wasserman)

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Wasserman, US House editor of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the final stretch of the Virginia govern...

All Roads Go Through Virginia

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week the hacks look into their crystal ball with former Virginia Congressman Tom Davis to discuss Virginia’s upcoming gubernatorial election. T...

The Shot Clock Ticks

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Steve Israel, former Congressman and future bookshop owner, joined Axe and Murphy to talk about Trump’s endorsement of Chuck Grassley, Tr...

Here’s The Deal?

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy are together again (and full of puns) to discuss Biden hitting the road to tout his “Build Back Better” plan, the debt ceil...

Where the Rubber Meets the Road (with John Anzalone)

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Anzalone, a longtime Democratic pollster who polls for President Biden, joins Gibbs and Murphy to talk about this “eventful” week in Washingt...

A High-Wire Act (with Jonathan Martin)

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Martin, a national political correspondent for The New York Times, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the rift between progressive and moderate ...

A New Day For Newsom (with Dana Bash)

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dana Bash, CNN’s chief political correspondent, co-anchor of State of the Union, and host of the new podcast Total Recall: California’s Political ...

Can the Golden State Stay Blue? (with Peter Hamby)

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Hamby, host of Snapchat’s Good Luck America and founding partner of and contributor to Puck, joins Gibbs and Murphy for a deep dive into the u...

The Short vs. Long Term (with Bill Kristol)

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Gibbs are joined by Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark, to discuss the public perception and political ramifications of the withdraw...

The Collapse of Afghanistan

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s all Hacks on deck this week as Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy convene to discuss the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the scenes of panic and chaos...

Pugnacious Pols & Bipartisan Bills (with Paul Begala)

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Begala, CNN contributor and former counselor to President Clinton, joins Axe and Murphy to help make sense of not one but two breaking news alert...

Mixed Messages (with Mark McKinnon)

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Private first class hackaroo Mark McKinnon, executive producer and co-host of Showtime’s The Circus, joins Axe and Gibbs to talk about the CDC’s m...

U.S. House of Horrors (with Jackie Calmes)

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jackie Calmes, national columnist for the Los Angeles Times and author of Dissent: The Radicalization of the Republican Party and Its Capture of the C...

Baseball Bats and Ghirardelli (with Steve Israel)

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Gibbs and Murphy were joined by former Congressman Steve Israel who graciously shared his expertise as a former Democratic Congressional Cam...

Texas Hold ‘Em (with Al Franken)

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Minnesota Senator Al Franken joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the latest lunacy to come out of CPAC, the escalating fight over voting rights and...

A Tale of Two Tracks (with Bill Kristol)

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark and director of Defending Democracy Together, joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss efforts to increase vacci...

Rocky Road (with Stephanie Cutter)

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Democratic political strategist and communications expert Stephanie Cutter joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the efforts to save the bipartisan infrastr...

Tyranny of the Minority (with Amy Walter)

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report and a PBS NewsHour contributor, joins Axe and Gibbs to talk about the “political theater”...

Biden Takes the World Stage (with Howard Wolfson)

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Howard Wolfson, Democratic political strategist and former Deputy Mayor of New York City, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Joe Biden’s first foreign ...

Infra-STUCK-ure (with Charlie Sykes)

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie Sykes, Editor at Large of The Bulwark, host of the Bulwark Podcast, and author of “How the Right Lost Its Mind” joined Gibbs and an optimi...

Building Bridges (with Jonathan Martin)

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Martin, a national political correspondent for The New York Times, joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss the make or break moment for infrastructure...

Infrastructure Week? (with Rahm Emanuel)

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the latest twists and turns in the negotiations over infrastructure spending and Bid...

Inconvenient Truths (with Barbara Comstock)

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock joins Axe and Murphy to discuss what lies ahead for the GOP after Rep. Liz Cheney’s removal from Ho...

Weather Vanes & Freedom Fights (with Mark Mellman)

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Democratic pollster and strategist Mark Mellman joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss the impending removal of Rep. Liz Cheney from House Republican leade...

The Davos of Bipartisanship (with Karl Rove)

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush and current Fox News contributor and Wall Street Journal columnist, joins Axe and ...

Welcome to Fate of Fact

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to a new audio documentary, Fate of Fact, a presentation of Shining City Audio, a C13Originals and Jon Meacham studio. Throughout the cou...

America on the Move

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs convene for a special late-night edition of Hacks on Tap after Biden’s first address to Congress. The Hacks discuss Biden’s...

Yoda and the Lessons of Power (with Susan Page)

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page joins Axe and Murphy to discuss Walter Mondale’s legacy, the ongoing negotiations around Biden’s infr...

The Ants Go Marching (with Mark McKinnon)

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gibbs and Murphy are joined this week by Mark McKinnon, executive producer and co-host of Showtime’s The Circus. The Hacks discuss the messaging opp...

Infrastructuring (with Will Hurd)

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd joins Axe and Gibbs this week to discuss the battle over the shape and size of Biden’s infrastructure bill, Major...

Politics of the Possible (with Ron Brownstein)

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

wJournalist and CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein joins Axe and Murphy to discuss how the politicization of the pandemic will impact electio...

Godzilla & The GOP (with Tony Fabrizio)

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Veteran Republican pollster and strategist Tony Fabrizio, who served as Trump’s chief pollster in ’16 and ’20, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss h...

Shots In Arms & Checks In Pockets (with Claire McCaskill)

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Missouri Senator and current NBC & MSNBC analyst Claire McCaskill joins Axe and Gibbs to discuss how President Biden’s recovery plan will imp...

Voting Rights and Filibuster Fights (with Rahm Emanuel)

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the passage of the COVID relief bill in the Senate, the ongoing debate about filibus...

When CPACs Attack (with Scott Jennings)

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist, conservative columnist, and CNN commentator. In the wake of Trump’s first ...

Blanchin’ From Manchin (with Brad Woodhouse)

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care and senior advisor to the DNC, joins Gibbs and Murphy to discuss Ted Cruz’s jaunt to Cancun, ...

Impeachment: The Sequel (with Bill Kristol)

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of The Bulwark, joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the historic second impeachment trial of former President Trump and what...

Introducing The Daily Punch

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Every weekday morning, The Daily Punch brings you inside Capitol Hill, the White House and Washington for an unfiltered look at the key players an...

Greene Achers (with Amanda Carpenter)

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Murphy are joined by Amanda Carpenter, a CNN contributor and political columnist for the Bulwark. With the second impeachment trial of former ...

Unity, Not Unanimity (with Heidi Heitkamp)

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp, host of The Hot Dish podcast and co-founder and chair of the One Country Project, joins Axe and Gibbs to d...

50+1 Fun

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For the 100th episode of Hacks on Tap, Gibbs and Murphy discuss the political dynamics surrounding Biden’s proposed economic plan, the inner working...

President Joe Biden

21 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A few hours after Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States, Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs convened to recap the historic day. The Hacks refle...

Pardon Me? (with Rahm Emanuel)

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins Axe and Murphy for the final Hacks of the Trump presidency. With unprecedented security measures in place in t...

2020: Extra Innings (with John Heilemann)

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Murphy sit down with the one and only John Heilemann to try to make sense of this moment. The Hacks discuss some of the dynamics that contribu...

A Republic, If You Can Keep It

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy sit down at the end of a sad and surreal day in American history. As Congress reconvened to finish certifying President-elect B...

Hacky Holidays!

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With the Electoral College handing Biden what felt like his 17th win, Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs convene for the last time this year to bid adieu to 2020....

A Most Gracious Loser (with John Heilemann)

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Gibbs are joined by superhack John Heilemann, now the host of his own podcast “Hell & High Water.” The Hacks discuss the ongoing attempt b...

Kook D'Etat (with Jennifer Palmieri)

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer Palmieri, former White House communications director and host of the podcast “Just Something About Her,” joins Axe and Murphy to discuss ...

Bonjour, Biden Boom

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs gather to give thanks for a start to the formal transition process and for a slew of qualified cabinet picks by President-elect...

My Cousin Rudy

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Murphy and Gibbs are joined by President-elect Joe Biden's pollster John Anzalone to talk about what the Hell is going on right now (it's all good, do...

A White House Held Hostage (with Dave Wasserman)

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. It’s been two weeks since Election Day and the Hacks continue t...

Trump Outrage Fatigue

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With the election in the rear view mirror (and yes, despite what the president says, it is over!) Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs discuss Trump’s ongoing att...

President-Elect Joe Biden

08 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After election night turned into election week, it’s finally official: Joe Biden is the next President of the United States. Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy ...

Election Day Survival Guide

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Well Hackaroos, we’ve arrived. Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs sit down for the last time before Election Day to discuss the final moments of the campaign, w...

We're Rounding The Corner... To Election Day (with Mark McKinnon)

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Gibbs are joined by private first class Hackeroo and The Circus' Mark McKinnon to talk about whether Texas will turn blue, what Trump's possib...

T-Minus One Week (with Rahm Emanuel)

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is back to help Axe and Murphy begin the one week countdown to Election Day. With COVID dominating the airwaves, the...

Welcome to Fiasco Season 1 Bush v. Gore

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Leon Neyfakh transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of our country’s most pivotal historical events, bringing to life the forgotten t...

The Final Debate: Mr. Mute vs. Sir Scranton

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy sit down after the final presidential debate, accompanied by some chips and guac, for a late-night edition of snacks-on-tap. Th...

Polls Traumatic Stress Disorder (with John Heilemann)

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With two weeks to go until Election Day, John Heilemann of Showtime’s The Circus is back to help Axe and Murphy break down the latest national polls...

Crazy Uncle POTUS (with Mark Salter)

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Gibbs are joined by Mark Salter, longtime political advisor to the late Senator John McCain and author of a new book The Luckiest Man: Life wi...

Repeat After Me: It's Not 2016 (with Amy Walter)

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Walter, the national editor of the Cook Political Report, joins Murphy and Gibbs to discuss the impact of the Supreme Court confirmation hearings ...

Pencesplaining & Insect Baiting

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Gibbs, and Murphy are abuzz with post-debate analysis as they convene for a special late night edition of Hacks on Tap. They break down the night...

A Cluster on Steroids (with Claire McCaskill)

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill joins Axe and Murphy to discuss the physical and metaphorical clusters surrounding President Trump. The Hacks...

Hacks on Call

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The news that President Trump tested positive for Coronavirus has thrown the campaign—and the country—into a new realm of uncertainty. Axe, Gibbs,...

Who Is "They" And Where Is This River? (with Charlie Sykes)

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Gibbs spend this episode talking to The Bulwark's Charlie Sykes and in search of this river! Two days after the Cleveland Debacle we sift thro...

$h!t Show

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe, Murphy, and Gibbs convene after the first presidential debate to discuss the perfectly polite and productive national conversation we just witnes...

Trump's Peaceful Transfer of Glower (with Rahm Emanuel)

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Murphy and Gibbs welcome the Honorable Hack/former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to talk about Trump’s comments on election rigging, what Biden has to ...

SCOTUS Scramble (with Bob Shrum)

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe and Murphy are joined this week by Bob Shrum, longtime political consultant, speechwriter, and strategist. The Hacks discuss the politics of the S...

Lowering the Barr

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Axe is joined by John Heilemann of Showtime’s The Circus, and Matthew Dowd, Chief Political Analyst at ABC and former chief strategist for the Bush ...

The Mellman College of Polling Knowledge (with Mark Mellman)

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You got a polling question? Well, we got your answer! Murphy and Gibbs tap the voluminous knowledge and experience of super pollster Mark Mellman on b...

Playing It Down With Bob

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gibbs and Murphy are joined by guest hack Joe Trippi. In this episode, they talk about Trump’s 18 (!!!) interviews with Bob Woodward, the polling an...