The Axe Files with David Axelrod
David Axelrod, the founder and director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and CNN bring you The Axe Files, a series of revealing interviews with key figures in the political world. Go beyond the soundbites and get to know some of the most interesting players in politics.
Ep. 605 — Ambassador Rahm Emanuel
This week marks a significant moment for The Axe Files: our final episode. We hope you have found these...
ListenEp. 604 — Scott Jennings
Scott Jennings is well known as a conservative firebrand on CNN. From working for George W. Bush to...
ListenEp. 603 — Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has made waves—and won elections—by questioning who gets...
ListenThe Best of The Axe Files: Jon Meacham
This Thanksgiving, we’re revisiting a conversation with historian and writer Jon Meacham on his book,...
ListenEp. 602 — Chris LaCivita
Chris LaCivita, GOP campaign pro and mastermind behind some of the party’s most ruthless yet effective...
ListenEp. 601 — John Anzalone
Democratic pollster John Anzalone wants voters to know that pollsters are not prognosticators. Instead,...
ListenThe Axe Files: The 600th Episode
This week, The Axe Files reaches a milestone: 600 episodes. For this anniversary show, CNN’s Anderson...
ListenEp. 599 — Charlamagne tha God
Charlamagne tha God—born Lenard McKelvey—got his start in radio by chance, but once he started,...
ListenEp. 598 — John King
CNN’s John King loves being an anchor, but looking back on the past few presidential elections, he...
ListenEp. 597 — Ilana Dayan
Ilana Dayan, a prominent Israeli journalist, spoke with David last fall, just days after the October...
ListenEp. 596 — Secretary Janet Yellen
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has been thinking about the economy since she was a young girl in the...
ListenEp. 595 — Kasie Hunt
As a child, journalist Kasie Hunt eagerly awaited the arrival of “Time” magazine each week. She...
ListenEp. 594 — Amb. Roger Carstens
At 11 years old, Roger Carstens, already an avid news consumer, was struck by stories of genocide in...
ListenEp. 593 — DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is a six-time NBA All Star and an Olympic gold medalist. But perhaps the defining legacy...
ListenThe Axe Files presents The Assignment with Audie Cornish
Kamala Harris has “Freedom.” Donald Trump has “God Bless the USA” (and a lot of cease-and-desist...
ListenEp. 592 — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has joined David on The Axe Files many times to talk about her life, policy,...
ListenBest of The Axe Files: Vice President Kamala Harris
As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to take the stage for the final night of the 2024 Democratic...
ListenEp. 591 — Ezra Klein
Journalist Ezra Klein has been covering politics for two decades, first as a blogger from his undergrad...
ListenEp. 590 — Don Rose
Much has been said about perceived parallels between this year’s Democratic National Convention in...
ListenEp. 589 — Audie Cornish
As a longtime reporter and observer of American politics and culture, Audie Cornish spends her days...
ListenEp. 588 — Rep. Dan Crenshaw
After reading about the Navy SEALs in middle school, Rep. Dan Crenshaw was determined to one day join...
ListenBest of The Axe Files: Sen. JD Vance
Ohio Sen. JD Vance made news this week when GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump selected Sen. Vance...
ListenEp. 587 — Jon Favreau
Political commentator and former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau watched the first 2024 presidential...
ListenEp. 586 — Doris Kearns Goodwin
Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is known for chronicling the lives and leadership styles of some of America’s...
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