The Trap (with David Plouffe)

This week, Murphy and Heilemann are joined by Whit Ayres, president of North Star Opinion Research and veteran Republican polling Hack. The Hacks dive into the nation’s many wars: Trump’s war with the press over access to the White House, the ad war raging in the midterms, and the U.S.’s actual war with Iran. In other words: just another quiet week in politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the Hacks are joined by recently inducted Hackeroo Julie Pace, senior vice president and executive editor of The Associated Press! The Hacks dive into the battle for control of Congress and the midterm messaging wars, from culture-war distractions and fake protesters to zingy lines and the fight to break through. Plus, Julie takes the Hacks behind the headlines on how the AP calls races, fact-checks political ads, and navigates its own battles over press access. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hacks are back! This week, all three Hackeroos convened to dive into the post-Labor Day sprint to the midterms. The guys discuss Trump’s potential war chest and the role of money in politics, renaming wars, and what could change between now and Election Day — looking to history, presidential polling, turnout, and key races for clues.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Neuroscientist, philosopher, and Making Sense podcast host Sam Harris joins Preet Bharara to examine why good-faith debate has become so difficult—and what that breakdown has done to American politics.They discuss social media’s fragmentation of the information landscape and declining trust in the press and public institutions. They also consider Donald Trump’s resilience in the face of scandal, the different standards applied to the political left and right, the Democratic Party’s relationship with its activist wing, and whether Trumpism can survive Trump. Then, Preet and Sam turn to the rule of law: the growing impulse to prosecute political opponents, the limits of relying on norms, the difference between accountability and retribution, and what it would take to restore a measure of normalcy to American political life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Axe and Murphy were joined by loyal Hackeroo, food savant, and incredibly talented journalist Jonathan Martin! The Hacks head north to unpack the latest battle with our neighbor, eh, before tapping JMart’s insights on the key races shaping up around the country. They dig into the chaos heading into the midterms, Trump’s massive war chest, stolen pens, “he would never do that” stock, and so much more! Photo by Cole Burston/Bloomberg via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices