The Playbook Podcast

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 Helly 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.

With six months to go until the midterm elections, the political picture is sharpening — and it’s a tough one for Republicans. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns run through six reasons each party can find a glimmer of hope, even as gas prices climb, Trump’s economic numbers slip and tensions with Iran add fresh uncertainty to the race for November.

David Sacks has played a key role in shaping AI policy for the Trump administration. He was formerly the White House AI and crypto czar. Now, he’s the co-chair of the President’s Co-Chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.  Sacks approaches the issue with a “let them cook” philosophy. Meaning, he thinks the way for the United States to win the global AI race is to move fast with minimally disruptive regulation. But with that comes a lot of questions about AI disruption to the workforce, who should be held responsible for harm caused by AI platforms, and the fear and division within America over the future of the technology.  Sacks joins Dasha Burns in a wide-ranging interview to discuss it all.

Chuck Schumer is dealing with internal blowback from some Democrats as key midterm battles heat up. Meanwhile, the Iran war hits the 60-day mark with Americans still feeling the pain at the pump, inflation continues to climb, and Congress heads out for recess without taking action on the War Powers Resolution. Playbook’s Adam Wren and Megan Messerly break down party tensions, the economic pressure, and what it all could mean heading into the midterms.

The Supreme Court’s decision on the Voting Rights Act will be felt in election cycles but maybe not as early as November. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Megan Messerly discuss if this decision will work in the GOP favor to redraw voting maps now. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth heads back to Capitol Hill to face the Senate, where Europe will be a big topic of conversation. And in Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is running for re-election but President Trump is making it hard for him.

Starting today, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth takes the hot seat in two rare back-to-back sessions with Congress–the Iran War will be top of mind for the lawmakers meeting with Hegseth. Meanwhile, Trump's pick for Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh, is set to inherit high interest rates and rising energy costs as Jerome Powell gets ready to leave the post. And in New York City, King Charles meets with Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a 9/11 ceremony. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Megan Messerly dive into these key developments driving the day.