POLITICO Playbook Daily Briefing - POLITICO

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April 26, 2024: What we learned from David Pecker’s testimony Apr 26, 2024

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Former President Donald Trump had a huge day in two different courtrooms on Thursday, but was only present for the one in Manhattan. David Pecker took the stand as a key witness in the case, and he alleged Trump was not the only prominent political figure for whom he caught and killed stories. Legal reporter Ben Feuerherd takes Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza through what it was like in the courtroom. All that, and everything else you need to know today.

April 25, 2024: Unpacking Trump’s dizzying day at the courts Apr 25, 2024

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Even by modern standards, this is a dizzying day of Trump legal news. Today, he’ll return to a Manhattan court room where Judge Juan Merchan could rule over whether he violated a gag order and former National Enquirer chief David Pecker will resume his testimony in Trump’s criminal trial. Meanwhile, in Washington, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over Trump’s claims of presidential immunity from prosecution related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. POLITICO Magazine staff writer Ankush Khardori joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through what to expect.

April 24, 2024: Has the clock run out on TikTok? Apr 24, 2024

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Late Tuesday evening, the Senate finally passed the long-awaited foreign aid bill that also moves to ban TikTok, citing national security concerns. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill in the coming days. So, what does this mean for the popular social networking app, and can anything save it? Tech policy reporter Rebecca Kern walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through some of the possibilities.

April 23, 2024: The strategy behind Biden’s Florida gambit Apr 23, 2024

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Can Joe Biden win Florida come November? It's unlikely, but the Sunshine State might still loom large in Biden's campaign -- serving as perfect fodder for why he needs to be reelected. When Biden travels there today, he will denounce its red-tinged policies, especially the six-week abortion ban set to take effect next week. Deputy national editor Zach Montellaro joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to talk through it all. Plus, Trump faces accusations he violated the gag order, and how the chaos at Columbia University is affecting Capitol Hill.

April 22, 2024: What we’re watching during day one of Trump’s hush money trial Apr 22, 2024

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After every day last week was devoted to assembling a jury, the trial involving allegations that Trump paid hush money to two women with whom he was having affairs will begin today in Manhattan. Senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein chats with Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza about what’s on his radar and District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s attempt to “rebrand” the case.

Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews Senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein.

April 19, 2024: How the foreign aid package became an ‘inkblot test’ for the GOP Apr 19, 2024

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Mike Johnson is close to notching a major legislative victory that may come at an extremely high cost: His job as speaker of the House. The foreign aid supplemental that’s been roiling the House GOP comes up for a procedural vote today where it’ll need Democratic support to pass — and if that vote on the rule passes, the underlying legislation will also need Democratic votes to get through. That’s good news for Ukraine and Israel. But for Johnson, the picture is decidedly less clear. Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Ryan Lizza game it all out.

April 18, 2024: One weird detail about Trump’s trial jury Apr 18, 2024

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After two days, the jury for Donald Trump’s criminal prosecution for business fraud in New York is taking starting to take shape — and the legal world is surprised by what it sees. Of the seven jurors impaneled so far, two have something very important in common: They are lawyers. That is deeply unusual, legal correspondent Betsy Woodruff Swan tells Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels, and it could have interesting implications for the entire case.

Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews legal correspondent Betsy Woodruff Swan.

April 17, 2024: Another strike against Mike Johnson Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

On Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky became the second congressman to publicly declare support for a motion-to-vacate attempt against House Speaker Mike Johnson. The basis for all of the drama? The rising tensions over the proposed foreign aid package. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade joins co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through all the nuances, and what comes next. Plus, what's next in the Trump hush money trial, and could the impending impeachment trial of Alejandro Mayorkas be the shortest one in history?

April 16, 2024: Why Johnson’s risky Ukraine gambit might just work Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

After stalling for months, House Speaker Mike Johnson finally has a plan to tackle aid to Ukraine and Israel — and it amounts to the trickiest legislative issue of his speakership. Among its provisions? Turning foreign aid into loans, using frozen Russian assets to assist Zelenskyy’s government and — if that weren’t enough — a TikTok ban. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks it all down.

April 15, 2024: What we’re watching during Trump’s Manhattan court appearance Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Donald Trump will appear in court today for the first day of his hush money trial in Manhattan. Ankush Khardori, former federal prosecutor at the Department of Justice and senior staff writer at Politico joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to walk through what to expect. Plus, all eyes are on Iran on Capitol Hill, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer could take up the newly-reauthorized FISA as soon as tonight.

Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews POLITICO senior staff writer Ankush Khardori.

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