POLITICO Playbook Audio Briefing

As Congress wrestles over the GOP's megabill package, President Donald Trump heads to Iowa for a major rally on the eve of the July 4 holiday. Playbook's chief correspondent Dasha Burns joins author Jack Blanchard to talk through the ghosts of rallies past, what to watch for this time around and what some people misunderstand about Trump's connection with his audience.

The GOP's massive reconciliation package heads back to the House this morning after narrowly crawling to passage in the Senate yesterday. But it looks much different than the last time the chamber considered it: To get through the Senate, the bill underwent an major makeover that drastically increases the deficit and could complicate the voting math in the House. The implications — for everyday Americans, for President Donald Trump's agenda and for the 2026 and 2028 elections — couldn't be much bigger. POLITICO senior Congress editor Mike DeBonis joins Playbook author Jack Blanchard to talk through how it went down and what comes next.

While the GOP megabill continues to be the main event in Washington, President Donald Trump heads to Florida and the latest hotspot in his immigration crusade: “Alligator Alcatraz.” That's the moniker of a new detention camp deep in the Florida swamplands that will house undocumented immigrants. It's not just a facility, of course: It's an attempt to control the narrative around immigration, promulgate fears among would-be migrants and ultimately focus attention on an issue Democrats would rather not discuss. POLITICO White House reporter Myah Ward and Playbook author Jack Blanchard discuss.

It's crunch time on Capitol Hill as the clock winds down for the sweeping Republican-backed reconciliation bill ahead of President Donald Trump's self-imposed July 4 deadline. At stake is the crux of his legislative agenda, with massive real-world implications for millions of Americans on topics ranging from health coverage to taxes to food assistance for the poor. With Democrats eager to hold Republicans' feet to the fire, will the GOP stick together, or are the slowly developing fissure lines enough to crack apart their legislative majorities? Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns and author Jack Blanchard talk through the angles. Plus, the fallout from the U.S. attack on Iran continues, and an appeals court in Louisiana will consider Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act in his immigration enforcement.

President Donald Trump firmly believes the GOP's megabill can pass through Congress and land on his desk by July 4. But with just one week to go before that self-imposed deadline, the sweeping legislation faces a congressional obstacle course, with Republicans across Capitol Hill fighting over facets from Medicaid cuts to government spending to federal land sales. POLITICO Congress reporter Jordain Carney joins Playbook contributing author Adam Wren to break down everything the state of play and where things go from here.

Freshly back from the NATO Summit, President Donald Trump's attention is now focused squarely on one thing: selling the Iran strike as an unmitigated success — regardless of what intelligence assessments say. Today the administration will focus on trying to shift the narrative — casting questions about the efficacy of the strikes as a slap in the face of American military pilots, and blaming Congress for the leaked intelligence reports that contradict Trump's claims. POLITICO White House reporter Megan Messerly joins Playbook author Jack Blanchard to walk through what to watch. Plus, the Democratic Party is only beginning to reckon with outsider candidate Zohran Mamdani's primary election upset in NYC.

Two stories from opposite sides of the globe have huge political implications today. First, in New York City, outsider candidate Zohran Mamdani pulled off a historic upset, defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for mayor. The seismic victory is sending shockwaves throughout American politics, with center-left Democrats gritting their teeth, progressives in a triumphant mood and Republicans lapping it all up. Across the Atlantic Ocean, President Donald Trump is at the NATO Summit at The Hague today, where he's expected to address the ongoing fallout from the U.S. strike on Iran and the fragile ceasefire between it and Israel. POLITICO White House reporter Megan Messerly joins Playbook author Jack Blanchard to unpack all that and more.

President Donald Trump heads to the Netherlands today for the 2025 NATO Summit. The Iran-Israel conflict was already set to be a major focus. But Trump's announcement Monday night of a ceasefire between the countries has reshaped the conversation altogether. Will the summit be an opportunity for Trump to flex on the global stage, or will he be received by a more tepid crowd? POLITICO White House reporter Megan Messerly joins Playbook author Jack Blanchard to discuss. Plus, a big day for hearings on Capitol Hill, and Democrats in New York City head to the polls to pick a mayoral nominee.

On Saturday night, U.S. forces bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities in what the Pentagon termed “Operation Midnight Hammer.” The consequences, which will likely be far-reaching, are only beginning to come into view. Does President Donald Trump want regime change in Iran? How would he square that pursuit with his America First pledges? What will it mean for nuclear talks? What sort of reprisals should we expect from Iran? Will Congress assert its war powers authority? And what does the world look like in the aftermath of the attacks? POLITICO White House reporter Megan Messerly joins Playbook author Jack Blanchard to unpack it all.

One story continues to dominate the conversation in Washington: the possibility of a U.S. strike in Iran. But even as the commentariat focuses on its potential geopolitical implications, its potential implications for American politics are no less real. President Donald Trump's MAGA base is split over what to do. Does Trump risk hemorrhaging support if he orders a strike? Or is the whole idea of a GOP civil war over Iran overhyped? Playbook contributing author Adam Wren joins editor Zack Stanton to talk through his reporting and discuss what it all means for the conflict at hand and the future of MAGA.

With the U.S. on the cusp of potentially joining Israel's fight against Iran, foreign policy experts in Washington are scrambling to game out the various scenarios. And as POLITICO senior foreign affairs correspondent and Compass columnist Nahal Toosi tells Playbook author Jack Blanchard, the options available to Trump and the possible outcomes from them aren't simply black and white; they exist along a spectrum ranging from arming Israel for a single, targeted strike on an Iranian nuclear facility, to a more sweeping and wide-scale involvement. In the balance: the security of the Middle East, the political viability of Trump's MAGA coalition and the futures of millions of everyday people in Iran. Nahal talks us through her reporting and the stakes.

President Donald Trump is unexpectedly back in Washington today, cutting his G7 trip short amid a spiraling situation with Iran. Yesterday, Trump made an ominous Truth Social post suggesting “everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran” — words that immediately provoked a fiery response from some of his usual supporters, who see the threat of such foreign interventionism as a betrayal of his “America first” ethos. Now, he faces one of the biggest dilemmas of his presidency: Should the U.S. back Israel in attacking Iran? And if so, to what extent? The implications are enormous — for the U.S., for the world and for Trump's political project. Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns and author Jack Blanchard talk it all, what they're hearing and what to expect in the days ahead.

After a weekend of nationwide protests, a military parade and a political assassination, eyes in Washington are now aimed north at Canada, where President Donald Trump is attending the G7 summit. Today, he will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns and author Jack Blanchard talk through what to expect, and how the fresh violence in the Middle East will impact what unfolds.

Last night, Israel launched a major military campaign against Iran in what it billed as a “preemptive” strike on the nation's nuclear capabilities. But this is only the beginning: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation will “continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.” And with the Trump administration already in talks with Iran over nuclearization — and emphasizing that the U.S. was “not involved” in the strikes — you can be sure that this is going to drive the conversation in Washington today as everyone tries to parse what this means for President Donald Trump's foreign policy, the U.S. plots out its response and fault lines get exposed within the MAGA coalition. Playbook contributing author Adam Wren and POLITICO White House reporter Jake Traylor break down the implications. Plus, tensions between the administration and California officials remain high after Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and briefly handcuffed after trying to ask a question of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference yesterday.

California and the Trump administration face off in federal court today over President Donald Trump's deployment of military troops to Los Angeles in a legal battle that could determine the limits of presidential power — and whether troops might be deployed to other cities, too. Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns and author Jack Blanchard talk through what they'll be watching and the angles that Washington will be focused on. Plus, is it happily ever after for Trump and Elon Musk?

As protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles continue, so does the standoff between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump. In a dramatic eight-minute address last night, Newsom laid into Trump, touting the federal intervention and militarization of its response as a threat  to the rule of law. Meanwhile, Trump suggested yesterday that Newsom should be arrested — and that he'll have zero tolerance for protests or disruptions at Saturday's military parade in downtown Washington. Playbook author Jack Blanchard and contributing author Adam Wren break it all down. Plus, Republicans will meet today to discuss a path forward for the GOP megabill.

As protests against ICE raids continue in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump is flexing his power in a way the nation hasn't seen in decades, deploying 4,000 National Guard troops and roughly 700 Marines in the city. California Gov. Gavin Newsom calls the moves a provocation, labeled Trump an “authoritarian” and called the mobilization of the Marines a “red line.” But sources close to the White House view this as a strategic messaging opportunity — one they believe will play to their political advantage. Where do things go from here, and what happens next? Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns and author Jack Blanchard talk it through. Plus, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousts the entire CDC committee that oversees the safety and use of vaccines.

As anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles grow and, in some instances, turn violent, President Donald Trump has deployed the California National Guard — the first time in 60 years a president has activated a state's National Guard domestically without the consent of that state's governor. California Gov. Gavin Newsom says Trump is irresponsibly ratcheting up the pressure in a volatile situation, while top White House aides liken the demonstrations to an “insurrection” and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatens to send in the Marines. Where do things head from here? Playbook chief correspondent Dasha Burns joins author Jack Blanchard to talk through the latest. Plus, the reconciliation bill rolls ahead in Washington and the brittle peace between Trump and Elon Musk is holding — for now.

Listen to the latest episode of Politico's new podcast, The Conversation with Dasha Burns. Rahm Emanuel has had just about every job in politics under the sun: congressman, White House chief of staff, U.S. ambassador, Chicago mayor, and more. “I'm pretty pragmatic about politics and almost cold to a point in my analysis,” he tells White House bureau chief Dasha Burns. Emanuel, who is widely believed to be considering a run for President in 2028, tells Burns that Democrats should “stop talking about bathrooms and locker rooms and start talking about the classroom.” As the first Jewish mayor of Chicago, he also talks about the recent anti-Semitic attacks and whether America is ready for a Jewish president. Plus, Burns is joined by Politico Magazine editor Elizabeth Ralph to talk about the magazine's recent Q&A with Miles Taylor in the wake of Trump's executive order targeting him, and the rise of jawline surgery among DC's male population.

The gloves are off between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and Playbook's Zack Stanton and Adam Wren have all the explosive details. Today, Trump White House officials are due to have a call with Musk in an attempt to lower the temperature. That comes after Musk went nuclear against Trump, making shocking allegations about the president and badmouthing some of his signature policies. But not everyone in Trump's orbit is so eager to forge a detente: Steve Bannon is taking a victory lap, Republicans are being forced to choose sides and there's always the possibility that one of the two unpredictable principals at the center of the brouhaha will jump back into the fray. Adam reveals the behind-the-scenes attitudes and views driving the day in Washington, and the other news you need to know today.

In a trio of announcements last night, President Donald Trump unveiled a new travel ban barring entry into the U.S. by residents from of 12 nations, a fresh attempt to block Harvard-enrolled international students from entering the country and an investigation into the so-called “auto pen” scandal, alleging that White House aides unconstitutionally exercised presidential authority during Joe Biden's presidency. Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and contributing author Adam Wren discuss it all. Plus, a preview of today's big White House meeting between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The moment has finally arrived: Elon Musk turned his chainsaw on the Trump White House yesterday in a blitz of X posts taking aim at the president's reconciliation bill. Calling it an “abomination” and vowing retribution against those members of Congress who back it, Musk's posture amounts to not only a stunning (but nascent) split between Trump's movement and the man who financed a broad swath of it, but also a sign of the bumpy road ahead on Capitol Hill. Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns joins managing editor Jack Blanchard to unpack the story Washington is buzzing about.

President Donald Trump is calling. Will Senate Republicans answer? As the GOP homes in on the votes needed to pass the all-important reconciliation bill through the upper chamber, the president is escalating both his outreach to and pressure on holdouts. But what the White House is saying and what those last few Senate Republicans really want may be in conflict. Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and chief correspondent Dasha Burns discuss the latest. Plus, Chinese President Xi Jinping gears up for his phone call with Trump on tariff negotiations.

Yesterday in Colorado, a man shouted “Free Palestine” as he attacked a group of elderly demonstrators who had gathered to peacefully advocate for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The episode is at once the nation's latest paroxysm of antisemitic violence and the newest flashpoint in the debate about immigration: the alleged assailant was reportedly in the country illegally, having overstayed a visa. Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns and author and managing editor Jack Blanchard join unpack it all. That, plus a new wave of Ukrainian strikes hammer deep in Russian territory.

Listen to the first episode of Politico's new podcast, The Conversation with Dasha Burns. Dr. Mehmet Oz, former TV host and Pennsylvania Senate candidate, is one of America's most famous physicians. Now he's running the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which means he's in charge of programs that provide health care for about half of all Americans. He sits down with White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns to discuss potential Medicaid cuts, his big plans to lower drug pricing, why he's fielding early morning phone calls from President Trump, and his advice to patients to “be curious” about their health.  Plus, Burns is joined by senior political columnist and politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin to discuss his juicy column about the Ohio governor's race featuring Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. And senior legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney joins to discuss the showdown between Trump and the courts over his “Liberation Day” tariffs. 

It's a swing state with an open U.S. Senate seat, several competitive House races, an open gubernatorial seat — oh, and a potential leading 2028 candidate serving as governor. You may call it a political wonk's dream; we call it Michigan. This week, as the battleground state's political stars descended on idyllic Mackinac Island, the trends that will likely define 2026 across the nation came into full view. Live from the Mackinac Policy Conference, Playbook contributing author Adam Wren and supervising editor Zack Stanton talk through what they learned about the direction the campaign is heading. That, and President Donald Trump goes to Pennsylvania to trumpet the new U.S. Steel deal, while some leading Democrats head to South Carolina for a trial run of potential 2028 campaigns.

President Donald Trump's tariff agenda has largely relied on one central claim: that America faces a national emergency that justifies the president taking extraordinary measures. Yesterday, a federal court blew a hole in that rationale in a ruling striking down his tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners while teeing up yet another looming Supreme Court showdown. On issue after issue, the legal system has proven to be the one reliable restraint on Trump's policy ambitions. And on issue after issue, the administration is eager to go to war against the judiciary. Where do those battles go from here? Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns joins managing editor and author Jack Blanchard to map it out. That, plus Elon Musk's DOGE days are over.

Even as President Donald Trump himself has a (relatively) quiet couple days, the gears of his administration continue to turn, and the pairing of his political and personal interests continues, brazenly and in the public. Today, Vice President JD Vance will deliver the keynote address at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas. A few hours later, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. will speak at the same event, which comes just one day after Trump's media company announced it intends to raise billions to stockpile Bitcoin for its corporate coffers. Chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns joins managing editor and author Jack Blanchard to talk through that, the president's latest social media output, some notable 2026 maneuvering and an exciting announcement from Dasha.

The biggest story in Washington today isn't really in Washington; it's about how Washington is affecting pretty much every place else. With Congress out on Memorial Day recess, the focus in D.C. today is all international — from Iran nuclear talks to trade negotiations with the European Union to the war in Ukraine to Gaza to King Charles' visit to Canada. And there is a fairly consistent through line connecting it all, chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns tells managing editor and author Jack Blanchard: Trump's strategy of first destabilizing an institution or status quo and then seeking to reshape it. Where will it prove successful, and where will it come up short? We may get a few signs this week. That, and the rest of the news you need to know as the week revs back.

Revenge, the saying goes, is a dish best served cold. And this week, the Trump administration is serving up a veritable buffet. Whether blocking Harvard University from enrolling international students, launching a Federal Trade Commission investigation into Media Matters, or using the long arm of the DOJ to prosecute Democratic elected officials, President Donald Trump's government is mounting a show of force against its perceived opponents. But how does this revenge tour align with what MAGA voters expected from Trump 2.0? Playbook supervising editor Zack Stanton breaks it down with contributing author Adam Wren. Plus, swing-district House Republicans are already seeing the political liabilities that come with voting for the sprawling reconciliation package, and a stunned Washington mourns two Israeli embassy staffers murdered in downtown D.C.

Tonight, Donald Trump goes where no president has gone before: to an invite-only dinner for investors in a cryptocurrency bearing his name. The unprecedented event is the latest in a pile of entanglements that raise serious questions about palm-greasing and profiteering — from deals for Trump-branded golf courses to the $400 million jet Qatar gifted to the administration for use as Air Force One. Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard digs into it all with contributing author Adam Wren. Plus, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. releases its first MAHA Commission report, and the House GOP's mammoth megabill takes a big step forward.

Former President Joe Biden is trying to lay low. But with the conversation in Washington dominated by the fallout from his cancer diagnosis and the continuing revelations from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book “Original Sin,” his every move is fodder for more discussion — welcome or not. Playbook contributing author Adam Wren joins managing editor and author Jack Blanchard to dig into it all. Meanwhile, the GOP megabill continues to progress through the House, as GOP leadership eyes the legislative endgame. And South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at the White House to try and defuse Trump's furor over the alleged mistreatment of Afrikaner farmers.

The year's most anticipated book in Washington has finally arrived: Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's “Original Sin” dropped overnight, just as Joe Biden's physical and cognitive health as president is the topic dominating the D.C. discourse. And the din of that conversation is likely to only grow louder. Partly, that's because the Biden story isn't going away. But it's also because Republicans are eager to keep the focus there rather than the politically risky proposed cuts to Medicaid that have now taken center stage in the debate over the House GOP's Big Beautiful Bill. President Donald Trump heads to Capitol Hill this morning to try and win over Republican holdouts. Playbook contributing author Adam Wren joins managing editor and author Jack Blanchard to unpack it all. 

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. This news comes just days before the release of a hotly anticipated book that promises to reveal information about the former president's alleged cognitive decline and the lengths that White House staffers and others in his inner circle went to conceal it. Also, President Donald Trump has a diplomatic double-header today with calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his latest attempt to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine. National politics correspondent and Playbook contributing author Adam Wren joins Playbook managing editor Jack Blanchard to break it all down. Plus, House Republicans voted the Big Beautiful Bill out of the Budget Committee last night, increasing the likelihood of a floor vote before Memorial Day.

As a new book about former President Joe Biden's cognitive health steamrolls its way through the Washington conversation, a new litmus test is emerging for Democrats with national ambitions: Did Biden, in fact, decline in mental acuity while in office?  National politics correspondent and contributing Playbook author Adam Wren joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to talk it through. Plus, President Donald Trump wraps up his Middle East trip, and the GOP mega-bill is teetering as hard-line conservatives force Speaker Mike Johnson to entertain major changes to the legislative package.

Today, the Supreme Court hears arguably the biggest case of the term. But precisely what is being decided is up for debate. There's a constitutional question about birthright citizenship. And then there's a procedural question with wide-reaching implications: Can lower-court judges block federal policies with nationwide injunctions? Depending on how the high court rules, one of the main impediments preventing President Donald Trump from implementing his policy agenda could disappear. Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns talk through the case and survey the potential fallout. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin is a no-show for peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, and Trump's Mideast trip comes to a close.

It's Washington's buzziest new book, and Joe Biden would probably prefer not to talk about it. And there's a reason for that: It has ignited a ferocious discourse about the former president's mental acuity and alleged decline and prompted uncomfortable questions for his former staffers and aides about who knew what and when. Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns talk about the D.C. zeitgeist and how it all unfolded. Plus, Trump remains in the Middle East, where his Qatari jet fiasco is only picking up speed.

President Donald Trump's well-known love of pomp and grandeur will be on full display today as he makes an official state visit to Saudi Arabia. The kingdom's royal family is all too eager to woo Trump — especially as other regional powers, like Qatar, very publicly make entreaties — so they've pulled out all the stops for a major gathering of business leaders as well as a banquet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. What are insiders looking for from the trip? Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and chief Playbook correspondent Dasha Burns unpack that and more. Plus, the “one big, beautiful bill” presses forward today on Capitol Hill and the administration braces for new inflation numbers this morning.

It's the start of a frenzied week for Washington, as President Donald Trump embarks on his first overseas trip of his second term and congressional Republicans unveil sweeping new proposed cuts to spending and taxes (and, likely, Medicaid). Add in a few major geopolitical issues — the end of talks between U.S. and Chinese leaders in Geneva and the start of talks between Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul — and you're beginning to get the shape of it. What do you need to know about it all? Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and chief Playbook correspondent and POLITICO White House bureau chief Dasha Burns make sense of the news that will drive the day on this, the pilot episode of “The Playbook Podcast.”

It takes a lot to rip the news cycle away from President Donald Trump. But yesterday, that's precisely what happened. Shortly after the president unveiled a major new trade deal with the U.K. — something the White House was eager to shine attention on — white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel's chimney. Meet the new pope: Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV. And just as soon as his name was uttered, he was dragged into a partisan battle over his real or imagined personal politics. POLITICO national political correspondent Adam Wren joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to discuss.

Last night, President Donald Trump teased an announcement the White House had been waiting for: Trump's first trade deal since his sweeping tariffs upended the global economy. Who answered Trump's call? The United Kingdom, the latest chapter in the so-called “special relationship” between the two nations. What does it mean for Trump, for the economy, for the US-UK alliance and for Europe as a whole? Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and POLITICO White House bureau chief Dasha Burns discuss. 

This morning, Vice President JD Vance will speak at a meeting of world leaders convened in Washington by the Munich Security Conference. The speech is amid a backdrop of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, a Russia-Ukraine war that is dragging on, and seemingly endless tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. Back home, officials are bracing both for Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell's decision on whether to cut interest rates — and President Donald Trump's reaction to the announcement. Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and POLITICO White House bureau chief Dasha Burns unpack what they're watching.

Today, President Donald Trump will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the heels of his recent electoral victory. It's their first time face to face, even as backlash to Trump in Canada helped propel Carney to power. Is it possible that the two men could actually find some middle ground? Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and POLITICO White House bureau chief Dasha Burns discuss what to watch for as the two leaders face off.

If one issue has defined President Donald Trump's second term, it is the economy. Markets continue to deal with tariff-induced whiplash, and people around the country are bracing for higher prices to hit home. But rather than denying the possible hits to people's wallets, Trump has taken to projecting a new message: settle for less. Playbook managing editor and author Jack Blanchard and POLITICO White House bureau chief Dasha Burns discuss. Plus, what's next for Secretary of State Marco Rubio?