The Playbook Podcast

Primary runoff day in Texas is here. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns discuss what Trump's last-minute endorsement of Ken Paxton means for John Cornyn — and for the Senate's already fragile Republican majority. Plus: the U.S. launches fresh strikes in the Strait of Hormuz while insisting the ceasefire holds, and NASA announces plans for a moon base by 2028.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna joins Dasha Burns on “The Conversation” to discuss whether the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran could pull American attention and weapons away from Kyiv, the state of Ukraine-Russia peace talks and why President Trump and Volodmyr Zelenskyy’s once-rocky relationship has become “iconic.” Have feedback for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Baltimore’s iconic Koco's Pub for a wide-ranging conversation about redistricting, the future of the Democratic party and how his military service shaped his views on patriotism, race and America’s role in the world. Moore also opens up about Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s decision to stay in the presidential race too long, Kamala Harris’ future and why Democrats can’t spend years “studying” voters’ frustrations instead of fixing them.

The DNC's nearly 200-page 2024 campaign autopsy is out — and Democrats are more upset about what's missing than what's in it. Playbook's Dasha Burns and Adam Wren get into it all. Plus, Congress fled town without finishing reconciliation. Then Dasha shares highlights from her interview with Ukrainian Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna on the state of the war and what Ukraine needs from Washington.

Vote-a-rama could get underway in the Senate today on the Republicans’ second reconciliation bill. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns dig into Republican anxiety over Trump's ballroom, the $1.7B "weaponization" fund, the Iran war's rising costs, and what the CIA director's Havana trip really means. And how the Democrats could use all this for their midterm messaging.

Thomas Massie is ousted in Kentucky, and more Trump-backed candidates from Alabama to Georgia take the win. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren discuss whether Trump’s grip can last through the midterms Plus, Democrats had a big night in Pennsylvania — and somehow, everyone in DC is already talking about 2028.

It's primary day across six states. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Megan Messerly dive into everything to watch — from a potential runoff in Alabama to the Republican scramble to take on Jon Ossoff in Georgia. Plus, acting AG Todd Blanche heads to the Hill to defend the DOJ's controversial new "anti-weaponization" fund, and JD Vance steps into the White House briefing room with big shoes to fill after Marco Rubio's press debut. And a sneak peek of Megan’s reporting on Rubio versus Vance.

It's the final day of campaigning in Kentucky's primary, where more than $30 million has been spent. Thomas Massie is trying to keep his seat but will his outspokeness about Trump hurt him? Then, Cuba could be next on Trump’s foreign policy list. And 2028 is so far yet so close, as J.D. Vance is in Kansas City for more than just midterm campaigning.

Dasha sits down with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, for a live taping of “The Conversation” at POLITICO’s Security Summit. In a wide-ranging interview, Pahlavi discusses the latest on the war in Iran, whether diplomacy with Tehran is possible and the future of the Iranian opposition movement. Have a question for our anniversary special? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

New polling shows voters actually want the gerrymandering wars — and it has big implications for 2026. Plus, ground beef is nearing $7 a pound and the White House just quietly shelved its plan to fix it. And Trump comes back from China — so why did Taiwan vanish from the official summit readout?

POLITICO White House reporter Alex Gangitano joins the Playbook Podcast from Beijing, where she’s traveling with Donald Trump during his first state visit to China in nearly a decade. With host Jack Blanchard and China correspondent Phelim Kine, the team unpacks a day of closed-door meetings, carefully choreographed optics and mounting tension between the world’s two biggest powers. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spent more than two hours discussing Taiwan, trade, Iran, fentanyl and the broader future of US-China relations. The team digs into the very different messages coming out of Washington and Beijing, the business heavyweights brought into the talks — including Elon Musk and Tim Cook — and what Trump needs to bring home politically from one of the most closely watched summits of his presidency.

Playbook’s Dasha Burns shares highlights from her one-on-one interview with James Blair, the head of the Republican midterm strategy, for a look at how the White House sees the road to November. Plus, the strangest Nebraska Senate primary result and what it means for Democrats in other races. Then Trump lands in Beijing with a delegation of American CEOs for his summit with Xi Jinping.

It's primary day in Nebraska, and this might be one of the strangest senate races we’ve seen in a while. Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns also unpack the Republican redistricting wave gaining momentum in South Carolina and Alabama. Plus, Pete Hegseth heads back to Capitol Hill for more tough questions on the war. And Dasha's dog Heli makes a very rambunctious appearance!

President Trump heads to Beijing for his first visit since 2017, but the shadow of Iran looms large over his talks with Xi Jinping. Playbook's Jack Blanhard and Dasha Burns discuss what's really on the table — from Taiwan to whether Trump might ask China with Iran. Plus, with the Strait of Hormuz still choked and gas prices climbing past $4.50, Republicans are finding an unlikely reason to smile: a redistricting blitz that could hand them a dozen seats before a single vote is cast in the midterm

Leon Panetta, former Defense Secretary and CIA director under President Obama, joins Dasha Burns to assess the U.S. conflict with Iran, warning that unclear objectives, a closed Strait of Hormuz and uncertain nuclear negotiations could leave the U.S. stuck in a prolonged war. Plus, Panetta defends President Biden’s handling of the Israel/Gaza conflict but says Biden “should have been much tougher” in providing weapons for Ukraine. Leave us a voicemail or shoot us a text with your questions for our first anniversary special: 202-643-1536.

Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Chicago’s iconic Manny’s Deli for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the Democratic Party -- and his own. Plus: a look at Chicago’s political culture, Pritzker’s rise from donor to power broker, and why Manny’s remains a must-stop on the campaign trail.

The White House claims it has a midterm message — but nobody seems to know what it is. Adam Wren dives into the GOP's messaging confusion. Then Megan Messerly discusses the tension between immigration headliners and the Trump administration's promises on mass deportations. And more on Iran.

Marc Rubio is at the Vatican to smooth things over with Pope Leo XIV after weeks of tension with the White House. Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Jack Blanchard discuss the political importance of this meeting and what is really at stake. Meanwhile, Trump hosts Brazilian President Lula, who has been very critical of the Iran War, at the Oval Office. And Republicans are back to redrawing maps—this time in Tennessee—where they are threatening the state’s lone Democratic House seat.

In Indiana, most of President Trump's endorsed primary opponents beat GOP state legislators. Playbook's Adam Wren tells Jack Blanchard what all of this means, including the future of the nationwide redistricting war and the division in the Republican Party. Then, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces questioning over Jeffrey Epstein. And Marco Rubio is headed to Rome to meet Pope Leo XIV after holding a White House press briefing before Operation Freedom was paused.

Playbook heads to the Midwest. All eyes are on Indiana as voters hit the polls for the primary. It will be Trump’s big first test to see if his power still holds with the Republican Party. Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns break down this unusual state senate race. And staying in the Midwest, a well-known ICE official is gunning for a House seat in Ohio—will it work for the Republicans? Plus, the Strait of Hormuz is back in the news.