Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer SE, walks to a morning session at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 10, 2025, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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In tonight’s edition, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner did not mince his words when asked about criticism of a recent POLITICO story at a company all-hands in Berlin on Tuesday. What he said may surprise many, including POLITICO Senior Executive Editor Alex Burns, who rushed to defend the story. It comes as Breaker has learned of more departures from POLITICO, including one key staffer from its marquee franchise, Playbook.
Also, tonight, The New York Times today revealed who will represent the masthead at the bargaining table to negotiate for the Guild’s next contract. But while the company wants to get a deal inked by February, we reveal below why the biggest fight may not be over economics.
And what next for Lachlan Murdoch, Fox, and News Corp now that the Murdoch family trust fight has been resolved – we preview what’s next with a little help from our Tuesday night contributor and Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie.
Mentioned tonight: James Murdoch, Jesse Angelo, Juleanna Glover, McKay Coppins, Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Liz Murdoch, Prudence Murdoch, Dave Portnoy, Keith Poole, Nick Papps, A.G. Sulzberger, Susan DeCarava, Joe Kahn, Rebecca Kutler, Mike Allen, Felicia Schwartz, Jack Blanchard, Dasha Burns, Dave Brown, Patrick Caldwell, Bill Duryea, Jake Traylor, David Ellison, and more.
Döpfner’s POLITICO Views
(Exclusive.) Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner's regular company all-hands in Berlin are quickly becoming must-see TV for employees (and media reporters).
In July, Döpfner made headlines when he riffed about AI. On Tuesday, the hulking German who doesn't mince his words was asked about criticism of a POLITICO piece about Steve Witkoff, authored by reporter Felicia Schwartz.
Döpfner, who previously was involved in a ding-dong with hedge fund manager Bill Ackman over a Business Insider story, said Axel does not fold like a cheap suit to critiques of its journalism.
"And if you don't have the stability to stand the heat, then you shouldn't be in publishing," Dopfner told the meeting. "And we are to a certain degree, taking that criticism, particularly as soon as it is from all political sides, as a compliment that leads to the necessity that we have to report not only very independently and critically like POLITICO does."
But Dopfner went on to criticize the Witkoff story, stressing the need for accuracy, saying the company couldn't afford…
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