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
Trump’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.
Episode 2: Barbarians at the Oval
Trump stops buying what his professional staff are telling him, and increasingly turns to radical voices telling him what he wants to hear.
Episode 3: Descent into madness
The conspiracy goes too far. Trump's outside lawyers plot to seize voting machines and spin theories about communists, spies and computer software.
Episode 4: Trump turns on Barr
Trump torches what is arguably the most consequential relationship in his Cabinet.
Episode 5: The secret CIA plan
Trump vs. Gina — The president becomes increasingly rash and devises a plan to tamper with the nation's intelligence command.
Episode 6: Last stand in Georgia
Georgia 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.
Episode 7: Trump turns on Pence
Trump 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.
Episode 8: The siege
An 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.
Bonus episode: Inside the craziest meeting of the Trump era
In 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.
Episode 9: Trump's war with his generals
Months 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.
If you're in a hurry, check out the abbreviated versions of each episode:
- Episode 1: A premeditated lie lit the fire
- Episode 2: Barbarians at the Oval
- Episode 3: Descent into madness
- Episode 4: Trump turns on Barr
- Episode 5: The secret CIA plan
- Episode 6: Last stand in Georgia
- Episode 7: Trump turns on Pence
- Episode 8: The siege
- Bonus episode: The craziest meeting of the Trump presidency
About the series
Our 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.
