Are you the next Politico EIC? Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner at the launch of the "Made for Germany" initiative on July 21, 2025, at the Chancellery in Berlin. (Photo by John Macdougall/AFP via Getty Images)
Welcome to the latest edition of Breaker. If this email has been forwarded, you can subscribe here and send your questions and complaints here. If you have a tip contact the 24/7 Breaker Tip Hotline via text or Signal # 551 655 2343. Anonymity guaranteed!
In tonight’s edition, Politico is closing in on its next global editor-in-chief to replace John Harris. We have the name of the frontrunner and the two other candidates that have been in talks with Axel Springer about taking on one of the biggest gigs in media.
Plus, Tim Shipman is one of the most influential political journalists in the U.K. He is the political editor of the Spectator (formerly of The Sunday Times) and, as you’ll learn tonight, enjoyed some high-flying free accommodation – thanks in part to Peter Mandelson’s early exit as British Ambassador to the U.S. over his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
Also tonight, Washington Post staffers are bracing for a brutal round of layoffs that are expected to start Wednesday morning. And the parody of Ryan Lizza’s Substack Bamboo series is back, as theories swirl as to who is behind it.
Finally, it’s Tuesday, which means Lionel Barber’s Briefing is back. This week, the legendary former Financial Times editor shares his thoughts on the latest fallout from the Epstein files. You can subscribe to Lionel Barber’s Substack here.
Mentioned tonight: Mathias Döpfner, Jan Bayer, Matt Murray, Bret Stephens, Sally Quinn, Josh D’Amaro, Dana Walden, Bob Iger, Bari Weiss, Dr Peter Attia, Risa Heller, Olivia Nuzzi, Ryan Lizza, Maureen Dowd, Aidan McLaughlin, Marina Hyde, Gabriel Sherman, Jesse Angelo, Michael Wolff, and more.
Döpfner’s Politico Pick
(Exclusive.) The race to replace John Harris as global editor-in-chief of Politico has narrowed to three candidates, Breaker has learned.
Harris announced in January that he was moving into a chairman role as the company engaged ace headhunters Spencer Stuart to lead the search for his replacement.
According to two people familiar with the matter, the frontrunner to replace Harris is...
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Wapo Layoffs
(Exclusive.) Washington Post staffers are bracing for an early morning email from bosses tomorrow that will instruct them not to come into the office ahead of layoffs that are expected to impact…