POLITICO Playbook Daily Briefing - POLITICO

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‘Warning signs are flashing’: GOP anxiety builds with six months to midterms May 04, 2026

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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.

Can AI solve the problems it creates? (with David Sacks) | The Conversation May 03, 2026

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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.

Party tensions and 60 days of war May 01, 2026

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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.

Back to the maps with SCOTUS, more Pete Hegseth, and a governor’s dilemma Apr 30, 2026

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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.

Pete Hegseth in the hot seat, the latest Fed drama, and King Charles goes to NYC Apr 29, 2026

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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.

The British king meets Congress and Florida’s new map Apr 28, 2026

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It’s day two of King Charles III official state visit. Today he will address Congress in a bipartisan meeting on Capitol Hill. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Megan Messerly break down what the King is expected to say about US and UK’s relationship. And then, Florida has joined the redistricting wars before the mid-cycle elections. Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new map that could give the GOP more seats, but it could be an uphill battle.

Security under scrutiny at WHCD and a royal visit to the White House Apr 27, 2026

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Washington is still reeling as the suspect in Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner scare makes a court appearance, fueling fresh scrutiny of event security and giving new urgency to President Donald Trump’s push for a White House ballroom. Jack Blanchard and Megan Messerly discuss how attention may shift fast with King Charles III arriving for a rare state visit at a moment of strained U.S.-U.K. relations. Plus on Capitol Hill, Speaker Mike Johnson heads into a punishing stretch as he tries to steer funding, surveillance authorities, and a farm bill through a razor-thin majority.

'Shaken' but 'grateful to be safe': Shooting at the WHCD Apr 26, 2026

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After gunfire disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Playbook goes live in a breaking Sunday edition to process what happened. Adam Wren and Dasha Burns share their firsthand experience inside the ballroom, the latest confirmed details, and the broader questions about political violence, security, and a country on edge.

Behind the velvet rope at White House Correspondents' Dinner (with Tammy Haddad) | The Conversation Apr 26, 2026

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Go behind the scenes of White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend with Tammy Haddad, a veteran TV executive and one of DC’s ultimate social connectors.

POLITICO's Dasha Burns and Tammy unpack why this dinner — which brings together the president, journalists and celebrities all in one room — is so important in Washington, and what really happens when the cameras are down.

Tammy also shares insider stories from years past involving Barbra Streisand, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kim Kardashian, Pamela Anderson, and more.

Gov. Brian Kemp’s blunt warning for Republicans | On The Road Apr 25, 2026

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Today, we're bringing you a new episode of 'On the Road' with Jonathan Martin.

Last week, Jonathan sat down with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) at the Masters to talk Trump, 2028 and the upcoming Georgia Senate race.

Plus: Kemp on EVs, economic policy and why he’s staying focused on 2026 — not the White House.

You can find more episodes in the 'On the Road with Jonathan Martin' feed wherever you get your podcasts.

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