Off the Rails: Episode library

The first line of the Axios Manifesto is "Audience First." That's why we created our unique Smart Brevity style to get you smarter, faster, on topics that matter. But it also means we won't shy away from important stories that are worthy of more detail and more of your time, like our Deep Dives, Axios Investigates and now this deeply reported series, "Off the Rails.” Beginning on election night 2020 and continuing through his final days in office, Donald Trump unraveled and dragged America with him, to the point that his followers sacked the U.S. Capitol with two weeks left in his term. This Axios special series takes you inside the collapse of a president.Our podcast on the series is called "How it happened: Trump's last stand." Episodes will be released each Monday, beginning on Jan. 18.Episode 1: A premeditated lie lit the fire Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesTrump’s refusal to believe the election results was premeditated. He had heard about the “red mirage” — the likelihood that early vote counts would tip more Republican than the final tallies — and he decided to exploit it.Read the full story.Episode 2: Barbarians at the Oval Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesTrump stops buying what his professional staff are telling him, and increasingly turns to radical voices telling him what he wants to hear. Read the full story.Episode 3: Descent into madness Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesThe conspiracy goes too far. Trump's outside lawyers plot to seize voting machines and spin theories about communists, spies and computer software.Read the full story.Episode 4: Trump turns on Barr Photo illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios. Photos: Drew Angerer, Pool/Getty ImagesTrump torches what is arguably the most consequential relationship in his Cabinet.Read the full story.Episode 5: The secret CIA plan Photo illustration: Aïda Amer, Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty ImagesTrump vs. Gina — The president becomes increasingly rash and devises a plan to tamper with the nation's intelligence command. Read the full story.Episode 6: Last stand in Georgia Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Drew Angerer, Raymond Boyd/Getty ImagesGeorgia had not backed a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992 and Trump's defeat in this Deep South stronghold, and his reaction to that loss, would help cost Republicans the U.S. Senate as well. Georgia was Trump's last stand.Read the full story.Episode 7: Trump turns on Pence Photo illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios. Photos: Elijah Nouvelage, Alex Wong/Getty ImagesTrump believes the vice president can solve all his problems by simply refusing to certify the Electoral College results. It's a simple test of loyalty: Trump or the U.S. Constitution.Read the full story.Episode 8: The siege Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photos: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty ImagesAn inside account of the deadly insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 that ultimately failed to block the certification of the Electoral College. And, finally, Trump's concession.Read the full story.Bonus episode: Inside the craziest meeting of the Trump era Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Getty Images photos: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post, George Frey/BloombergIn this bonus edition, we take you back into the final weeks of the Trump presidency — to one long, unhinged night a week before Christmas, when an epic, profanity-soaked standoff played out with profound implications for the nation.Read the full story.Episode 9: Trump's war with his generals Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty ImagesMonths after he left office, an important piece about Trump's final days as president began to emerge: His last-minute bid to pull U.S. forces from Afghanistan and swaths of the Middle East, Africa and even Europe ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration — and why he blinked.Read the full story.If you're in a hurry, check out the abbreviated versions of each episode:Episode 1: A premeditated lie lit the fireEpisode 2: Barbarians at the OvalEpisode 3: Descent into madnessEpisode 4: Trump turns on BarrEpisode 5: The secret CIA planEpisode 6: Last stand in GeorgiaEpisode 7: Trump turns on PenceEpisode 8: The siegeBonus episode: The craziest meeting of the Trump presidencyAbout the seriesOur reporting is based on interviews with current and former White House, campaign, government and congressional officials as well as eyewitnesses and people close to the president. Sources have been granted anonymity to share sensitive observations or details they would not be authorized to disclose. President Trump and other officials to whom quotes and actions have been attributed by others were provided the opportunity to confirm, deny or respond to reporting elements prior to publication. "Off the Rails" is reported by White House reporter Jonathan Swan, with writing, reporting and research assistance by Zach Basu. It was edited by Margaret Talev and Mike Allen and copy edited by Eileen O'Reilly. Illustrations by Sarah Grillo, Aïda Amer and Eniola Odetunde.

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Wes Streeting in TV bust-up over Labour MP's grooming scandal slur

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Political news

Wes Streeting in TV bust-up over Labour MP's grooming scandal slur

Appeals court backs VOA overhaul Kari Lake says will 'modernize' agency: ‘Huge victory for President Trump’

Ed Miliband blasted over Dame Mary Archer sacking

Nicola Sturgeon WhatsApp messages exposed as SNP civil war erupts

Nigel Farage issues 7-word warning after bombshell local election wins

The Liberals may have lost seats in Ontario — and their majority — because of crime and Trudeau fatigue

Ex-Tory council leader calls for Badenoch to resign

Government urged to copy France after incredible new northeast rail link success

Kemi Badenoch won't chase Nigel Farage 'to the Right' after historic election defeat

Keir Starmer told to 'change or die' as by-election humiliation triggers Labour civil war

'Young women are fearful and anxious about a regression in their human rights'

Call for action as survey finds one in two women do not trust politicians

SNP MSPs face de-selection as contests end after independence and Branchform rows

More fool the Scottish politicians who took bait of Kneecap's provocations

'As combustible as ever': Is another major war between India and Pakistan inevitable?

Why is a former Mumford & Sons banjo player asking questions in the White House?

‘I feel rage’ Save the Children boss demands action on Scottish child poverty scandal

Swinney risks SNP backlash by 'putting independence on the backburner'

Texas Gov. Abbott signs $1 billion voucher program into law, capping off win for school choice advocates

Reform's mission to 'remoralise' young people, says party chairman

Why Britain isn’t ready for a trade war with Trump

‘Young people feel very smothered’: Reform’s plan to grab youth vote

Newly elected chair of Georgia Democrats says party hasn't been fighting enough

First Minister John Swinney to focus on making Scots ‘healthier and wealthier’

Farage: Reform UK has ‘supplanted’ Tories after local elections sweep

Conservatives call for Labour MP to resign after grooming gangs comment

WES STREETING: 'NHS tech upgrade will be a revolution for cancer care'

Sir John Curtice: The map that shows Reform's triumph was much more than a protest vote

What is the 'broligarchy'?

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

Texas governor signs $1 billion voucher bill in milestone for school choice supporters nationally

Reform secure major victory as Conservatives 'wiped out' in local election

Labour minister sorry over grooming gangs remark

Tory leadership rumours swirl as James Cleverly steps up manoeuvring

Starmer urged to change course, not go ‘further and faster’ after Reform gains

KEIR STARMER: 'Whole of Britain should unite to honour World War II heroes on VE Day'

Cabinet minister Lucy Powell should RESIGN after dismissing grooming gangs scandal as “dog whistle”, Tories say

Militant doctors’ union tells activists to hold pizza nights to drum up strike support

VP Vance's travels are a mix of diplomacy, dealmaking, soft power and family time

Trump, White House post AI photo depicting him as pope

'We will lose next election!' Labour panicking over migration as Reform surge

John Hogan named Newfoundland premier after winning Liberal leadership

Thousands of schoolchildren to join landmark event marking VE Day 80th anniversary

Warren Buffett announces his retirement and warns the trade war will hurt America

May Day election drubbing was a warning – Keir Starmer must change course and slash immigration or face wipeout

Keir Starmer must scrap the winter fuel cuts and slash immigration to take on Nigel Farage, party big guns warns

MTG on the warpath: Rips administration, warns that the 'base is not happy'

Election result is a 'cry of anger' from a crime-ridden nation

Gangster prosecutor now defending farming families from death tax

'Britain cannot afford two terms of Keir Starmer's Labour'

Union chief urges staff at Reform UK-controlled councils to sign up

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wins a second 3-year term

OLIVER COPPARD: 'Reform winning in South Yorkshire is the canary in the coalmine'

EMMA LEWELL: 'Labour doesn't need to be welded to a plan for change - we need a change of plan'

What next for Labour after local elections? Warnings for Keir Starmer from his own party

Nigel Farage warns Labour big beasts Yvette Cooper and Ed Miliband he’s coming for their seats

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

CIA and other spy agencies set to shrink workforce under Trump administration plan

FAA, NTSB investigating after two flights to Reagan National had to perform 'go-around' due to Army

Head Start survives Trump administration budget proposal