Episodes
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It’s the question dividing Trump world: Does the former president’s
campaign message need a reset? Trump surrogate Vivek Ramaswamy has
earned his MAGA bona fides with his boisterous and, at times, pugnacious
appearances on the campaign trail. But he’s also among the most strident
voices on the right calling for the Trump camp to change course. His
unexpected message for both Trump and the GOP writ large? Drop the
insults and focus on policy. The race, he believes, depends on it.
Playbook co-author Rachael Bade caught up with Ramaswamy to chat about
this, and more. -
Though President Joe Biden has reportedly come to terms with his
decision to withdraw from the presidential race, he’s also said to
harbor resentment towards the key members of his own party who
effectively pushed him out. Will this change the dynamics of the
upcoming Democratic National Convention? White House Bureau Chief
Jonathan Lemire joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to break it all
down. Plus, where the Teamsters stand on a presidential endorsement, and
the rest of the news you need to know today. -
Missing episodes?
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If Kamala Harris wins the presidency in November, some progressives hope
that the new administration will listen to their concerns about national
security. But are their goals realistic? Foreign affairs correspondent
Nahal Toosi walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through some of the
nuances. Plus, a recap of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s conversation on X
Spaces and the rest of the news you need to know today. -
A week before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the party
has yet to define its priorities should Kamala Harris win the
presidency. There is no public 100-day plan, and no explicit plan for
what would happen if Democrats flipped the House. As a result, the
future of critical actions like the filibuster remains uncertain.
However, as Playbook co-author Rachael Bade explains, much of the
blurriness is intentional. -
What do you do when your opponent seems to be getting all the media
attention? Hold a press conference, of course. Yesterday, former
President Donald Trump did just that, taking questions in Florida. The
backdrop is the surging popularity of Vice President Kamala Harris,
whose campaign is now leading Trump’s in most national polls — the
result of what Trump suggested is “honeymoon” that is “going to end.”
What stood out from the presser? National political reporter Natalie
Allison joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to talk about everything
from the prospect of Harris-Trump debates to the questions the former
president would prefer not to answer. -
In the two-plus weeks since she’s emerged as the Democratic Party’s
presidential candidate, Kamala Harris has yet to give a sit-down
interview or field reporters’ questions — and that’s just the way the
Harris campaign wants it. Why? White House reporter and West Wing
Playbook author Eli Stokols takes Playbook co-author Rachael Bade inside
the Harris’ campaign’s media strategy, and the follow-the-vibes
political moment we’re in. That, plus the latest on GOP attacks on Tim
Walz’s military record. -
Last night, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
made their first appearance together as running mates in Philadelphia.
National political reporter Holly Otterbein joins Rachael Bade from
Philly to talk about the crowd — an enthusiastic 10,000 — and how well
Walz went over in the room. Also, Holly breaks down Harris’ decision
making process in the last couple days and what led to Walz edging out
Shapiro for the spot. -
Only one president has ever managed a return to the White House after
losing reelection. If Donald Trump wins in November and becomes the
second, his time in relative exile in Mar-a-Lago may well be the reason
why. That period of time — extending from January 2021 to his entry in
the 2024 race — is when the seeds of his campaign strategy were sown,
his image burnished and return to the national stage plotted. And that’s
the focus of national political correspondent Meridith McGraw’s new
book, Trump in Exile, which is out today. She sits down with Playbook
co-author Ryan Lizza to discuss what she uncovered. Plus, Vice President
Kamala Harris officially clinched the nomination for president for the
Democratic party. Next up, she chooses hew own VP. -
Vice President Kamala Harris spent the weekend interviewing at least
three candidates to be her running mate. Her campaign said a decision
will come by Tuesday, when she will also appear publicly with her pick,
kicking off a seven state tour. National politics reporter Elena
Schneider talks with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels about the
political pros and cons of the options remaining. -
In a matter of days, Kamala Harris will officially announce her running
mate. But ahead of the unveiling, speculation is rampant in Washington
about who she’ll pick and why. National politics correspondent Adam Wren
walks Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza through Harris’ VP shortlist and
what each of them brings to the table — or not. -
If former President Donald Trump wanted to steal back the spotlight
after a week of the attention being on VP Kamala Harris, he did that.
But it seems likely to backfire in a major way. Yesterday, Trump used an
appearance at the NABJ conference to launch a new battery of attacks
aimed at Harris’ racial identity — and specifically at the fact that she
is both Black and Indian-American. Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and
Eugene Daniels discuss that — and break a bit of news about Harris’ VP
search. -
On Tuesday, the Heritage Foundation confirmed that Paul Dans, the
director of the contentious 2025 Presidential Transition Project, or
Project 2025, is stepping down. However, Dans’ departure does not mean
the project is shutting down. National politics correspondent Meridith
McGraw chats with Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza about how this shakeup
will play out during the final few months until the election. Plus, when
to expect Harris' VP announcement, and the rest of the news you need to
know today. -
Democrats have been on cloud nine for the past week since President Joe
Biden announced his decision not to run for re-election. However,
Republicans have shifted their focus and sharpened their strategy for
attacking Harris. The Trump campaign is going live with its first TV ad
attacking Harris in swing states today. They will blame the crisis at
the US-Mexico border on Harris, the Biden administration's so-called
"border czar." Will it be enough to dampen the electric momentum
surrounding the vice president? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade looks
into it. In addition, a bipartisan expansion of the child tax credit is
up for a vote today, and it is expected to be defeated by Republicans.
How will this play with Republicans' family value-centric identity? -
President Joe Biden may not be running for reelection, but that does not
mean he intends to be invisible during his lame duck period. Today,
Biden is expected to present a proposal to significantly reform the
Supreme Court, which included imposing term limits on justices. Biden's
decision marks a significant departure from his longstanding reluctance
to change the court. White House Correspondent Adam Cancryn joins
Playbook editor Mike DeBonis to break down what this all means. Plus,
what we know about how the presidential race is shaping one week after
Biden's departure from it, and two events around the world that could
have large implications for the U.S. That, plus the rest of the news you
need to know today. -
The struggle is real. Ever since Kamala Harris emerged as the likely
Democratic presidential nominee, Donald Trump’s allies have struggled to
land on a consistent line of attack against the VP. The result? A gusher
of insults aimed at Harris’ identity rather than her policies. Can the
rhetoric be reined in? Breaking news reporter Irie Sentner joins
Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to explore. Plus, Harris receives an
official endorsement from the Obamas, and the rest of the news you need
to know today. -
Last night, President Joe Biden gave a rare Oval Office speech to mark
an even more rare occurrence: A president who is eligible for another
term choosing not to run for reelection. While at times forward-looking
— as when he reiterated his support for VP Kamala Harris — the address
was, on its face, an attempt at legacy building. Biden checked off a
list of his accomplishments, and framed his overall decision as being
taken in the defense of democracy — which, he said, was “more important
than any title.” But his remarks also provided a reminder of the same
performance concerns that led to calls for him to step aside. What comes
next? White House correspondent Eli Stokols joins Playbook co-author
Ryan Lizza to unpack it all. -
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session
of Congress on Wednesday afternoon. However, the recent shakeup in the
presidential race has overshadowed what would normally be Washington's
biggest story. A vocal few lawmakers have stated that they will not
attend the address, and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee
Kamala Harris will also not attend due to a prior commitment. So what
should we expect from the speech, and from the Prime Minister's meetings
with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump later in the
week? National Security Daily author Matt Berg joins Playbook co-author
Eugene Daniels to offer some insight. Plus, what we know about Biden's
Oval Office address this evening. That, plus the rest of the news you
need to know today. -
Kamala Harris has received enough commitments to move closer to
clinching the Democratic presidential nomination. When Harris previously
ran for the Democratic nomination, her record was criticized for being
insufficiently progressive. But this time around, that characterization
could actually give her an advantage. Former prosecutor and current
senior writer for Politico Magazine, Ankush Khardori, joins Playbook
co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, the latest on who will attend
the meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the rest of the
news you need to know today. -
For the first time in over 50 years, a sitting president eligible for a
second term has opted to forgo reelection. After weeks of speculation,
the president announced on Sunday that he would withdraw from the race
and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. According to reports, the
decision caught not only Democratic politicians off guard, but also
members of Biden's campaign and White House staff. And with less than a
month until the Democratic National Convention, many details must be
worked out as the dust settles. Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade, Eugene
Daniels, and Ryan Lizza break it all down. -
On Thursday night, Donald Trump gave the longest televised acceptance
speech ever, and while the crowd was initially locked in, it later grew
restless. The news elephant in the room for many reporters was actually
President Biden, as speculation continues to increase about when — and
if — he steps down from the ticket. Playbook co-authors Ryan Lizza,
Eugene Daniels, and Rachael Bade share their takes after the speech,
what they're hearing about Biden from sources, and try to go find steak. - Show more