TACO Tuesday (with Morris Katz)

In a blistering episode of Hacks On Tap, hosts David Axelrod, John Heilman, and Mike Murphy dissect Donald Trump’s sudden pivot on the Iran war—dubbed the 'taco moment'—as a political escape hatch from a failing foreign policy and rising gas prices. Morris Katz, the 26-year-old media consultant who helped propel Donald Trump to power, delivers a scathing indictment of the Republican Party’s blind loyalty, calling it a 'party that doesn't give a shit about lowering costs or sending young people to die.' The conversation reveals how Trump’s retreat from Iran, while politically expedient, may backfire by leaving the GOP holding the bag on soaring energy prices and economic anxiety. The hosts also slam the Democratic Party for failing to generate leverage during the TSA chaos and ICE shutdown, while Morris warns that the real threat isn't just authoritarian media control—but the normalization of extremist ideas like sending ICE to polling places. The episode culminates in a deep dive into the Maine Senate race, where a controversial candidate’s past statements are being weaponized by an establishment governor, yet his poll numbers are rising—highlighting a growing disconnect between party leadership and voter sentiment. The takeaway? In today’s fractured political landscape, authenticity and narrative matter more than ever—and even the most talented candidates can be sunk by a bad team that fails to tell their story.