And now from the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago and CNN Audio, The Axliles, with your host, David Axelrod.

Chris Lasavita, a decorated Marine Corps veteran, found his passion three decades ago on the battlefield of

politics. He gained a reputation over the years as a savvy, detailed, oriented operative,

and a take-no-prisoner strategist and admin. His resume includes the notorious 2004 swift-boat veterans

for truth ads against John Kerry, so impactful

that swift boating became a verb, synonymous with slashing negative media.

Earlier this month, La Seveda won his biggest battle as co-manager of Donald Trump's historic

re-election campaign. In this week, I sat down with Las Vita

at the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago

to talk about his life, his work, and the 2004 campaign.

Chris Lasavita, the famous, infamous, notorious, which is probably good for your business.

Yes, probably good for your business. Welcome. Welcome to the Institute of Politics. Good to see you.

Before we get into the campaign itself, which is historic and obviously impactful and interesting.

I want to talk about you because you've become historic and impactful and interesting.

So, yeah, if this were on camera, people could see you wince.

But I want to ask you, you're from McKeesport, Pennsylvania,

which is right outside of Pittsburgh. Talk to me a little bit about your family. Your grandparents,

both immigrants, all immigrants from Italy and Ireland. In Ireland. Yeah, my dad's family from

Italy. My mom's family from Ireland. I'm the second oldest of five boys,

uh, born and raised in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, moved to Richmond, Virginia in 179.

Well, before we get to Richmond, just let me ask you about your family. Tell me your grandparents were,

you, you knew your grandparents? My dad's dad's side only knew my grandmother she died

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