Episodes

  • Trump's big economic swing out West

    Trump's big economic swing out West
    Apr 17 2026
    President Donald Trump’s push to promote his affordability agenda is colliding with economic anxiety at home and a war abroad that’s driving up costs. Meanwhile, Trump heads to Arizona to rally younger supporters amid growing skepticism over the Iran conflict. POLITICO's Megan Messerly and Eli Stokols break down the messaging challenge, the political stakes ahead of the midterms and what to watch next.
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    15 mins
  • Politics, polling, and more RFK Jr. animal lore

    Politics, polling, and more RFK Jr. animal lore
    Apr 16 2026
    Trump heads to Las Vegas to sell his tax agenda, but Republicans worry his message isn’t breaking through — and that could spell trouble for the midterms. Meanwhile, a striking Senate vote and a New Jersey special election underscore a major shift inside the Democratic Party on Israel, especially among younger voters. RFK Jr. returns to Capitol Hill for a marathon stretch of hearings as speculation swirls about his political future. And yes — there’s a bizarre new chapter in RFK Jr. lore that has everyone talking.
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    13 mins
  • Can Republicans cash in on Tax Day?

    Can Republicans cash in on Tax Day?
    Apr 15 2026
    On today’s Playbook Podcast, Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns break down Republicans’ Tax Day push to sell Trump’s tax cuts and ask whether voters are actually feeling the benefits. They also dig into Trump’s latest comments on Iran, the political risks of rising gas prices, and the fallout on Capitol Hill from two high-profile resignations.
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    14 mins
  • Swalwell fallout scrambles California governor’s race

    Swalwell fallout scrambles California governor’s race
    Apr 14 2026
    Playbook’s Jack Blanchard is joined by POLITICO California Bureau Chief Melanie Mason for a deep dive into the resignation of Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.). Once a rising Democratic star and gubernatorial contender, Swalwell’s career unraveled after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. Mason breaks down the long-circulated private warnings about the lawmaker, how his political allies are responding and what comes next in the California governor’s race.
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    11 mins
  • All eyes on Hormuz

    All eyes on Hormuz
    Apr 13 2026
    President Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz begins at 10 a.m. after talks with Iran collapsed, Hungary’s Prime Minister and MAGA favorite Viktor Orbán conceded defeat following a landslide loss and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) suspended his gubernatorial campaign amid sexual misconduct allegations. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down the risks of escalation with Iran, the political fallout at home and abroad and what to watch as Congress returns to a packed agenda.
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    12 mins
  • Inside the war on Trump’s new MAGA (with Marjorie Taylor Greene) | The Conversation

    Inside the war on Trump’s new MAGA (with Marjorie Taylor Greene) | The Conversation
    Apr 12 2026
    Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) – the MAGA acolyte-turned-antagonist who resigned from Congress after a public and messy fight with Donald Trump – joins “The Conversation” to talk about the war in Iran, why she thinks the GOP will be “slaughtered” in the midterms and her desire to build a new political coalition in America.
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    43 mins
  • Harris vs. Buttigieg, again

    Harris vs. Buttigieg, again
    Apr 10 2026
    Today Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg take the stage in New York City, offering an early glimpse at a possible 2028 clash. Meanwhile, a fragile Iran ceasefire is raising fresh questions abroad, and Senate Republicans head to the White House to talk reconciliation. POITICO’s Megan Messerly and Adam Wren break down the early 2028 dynamics, the foreign policy tensions and what comes next.
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    12 mins
  • Trump escalates attacks on NATO

    Trump escalates attacks on NATO
    Apr 9 2026
    President Donald Trump’s fresh barrage of attacks on NATO is raising new questions about America’s commitment to the alliance. Meanwhile, confusion around the U.S.-Iran ceasefire continues to cloud the global picture. And Democrats weigh whether the moment presents a political opening. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren break down the NATO fallout, the state of the ceasefire and what to watch next.
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    13 mins