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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

Happy New Year, Hackeroos! Axe and Murphy rang in the new year with a journalism icon, the incomparable Jonathan Alter. Author of His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life, Alter joins the Hacks to reflect on the passing of President Carter and the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind. The Hacks also delve into the Biden transition, Trump’s ongoing legal battles, what to expect from his appointments and campaign promises, and the ever-changing role of social media in our democracy—along with the responsibility social media executives bear in shaping it.