Apr 8, 2019

David Axelrod makes "The Axe Files" podcast exclusive to Luminary

Mike Allen

Political analyst David Axelrod. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

David Axelrod is making his popular podcast, "The Axe Files," exclusive to Luminary, which has raised $100 million and plans to launch a paid platform with ad-free podcasts, starting with 25 shows the week of April 23.

Details: Some of Axelrod's expected upcoming guests include Aaron Sorkin, Bryan Cranston, Jason Rezaian, Meghan McCain and Kal Penn.

  • "The Axe Files" will continue to air once a month on CNN in a televised version.

Axelrod told me, as he headed to El Paso to interview Beto O'Rourke, that the podcast is a return to his roots as a political reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

  • "I realized when I was writing my memoir that my whole life has been about storytelling, as a journalist or as a strategist," he said.
  • "Now I get to explore people's stories and try and convey to the listener a better sense of who it is I'm talking to. ... So I'm loving it."

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Rebecca Falconer

Acting Navy head apologizes for calling fired captain "stupid"

Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly testifies on Capitol Hill in December. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly apologized Monday for calling Capt. Brett Crozier, the ousted commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, "too naive or too stupid" over his letter pleading for help following a coronavirus outbreak onboard.

The big picture: His apology came after President Trump told a news briefing earlier Monday he would "get involved" following a leak of Modly's remarks on Crozier to the ship's crew, obtained by CNN.

Go deeperArrowUpdated 16 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 1,346,299 — Total deaths: 74,679 — Total recoveries: 276,636 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 367,507— Total deaths: 10,908 — Total recoveries: 19,598 — Map.
  3. 2020 update: Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks governor's attempt to delay in-person primary voting delayed until June.
  4. States latest: West Coast states send ventilators to New York and other states with more immediate need — Data suggest coronavirus curve may be flattening in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
  5. World update: U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to intensive care as coronavirus symptoms worsen.
  6. Stocks latest: The S&P 500 closed up 7% on Monday, while the Dow rose more than 1,500 points.
  7. What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health. Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Keep ReadingArrowUpdated 22 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Rebecca Falconer

Former Vatican treasurer George Pell's sexual abuse convictions overturned

Cardinal George Pell at the County Court in Melbourne, Australia, in 2019. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

George Pell, the former Vatican treasurer, has won his appeal and had his child sexual abuse convictions overturned by Australia's High Court.

Why it matters: The cardinal became last year the highest-ranking Catholic Church official to go to trial and be convicted for sex abuse. But the High Court's ruling means he can be immediately released from prison, where he was serving a six-year sentence.

Go deeperArrowUpdated 1 hour ago - World