The Playbook Podcast

In a Friday roundup, White House reporter Sophia Cai and Playbook’s Ali Bianco unpack three stories animating Washington this morning. They break down what yesterday’s White House press briefing reveals about cracks in Trump’s coalition, the implications of a private phone call between President Donald Trump and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and why Democrats are celebrating two major redistricting rulings. Plus, Washington may be welcoming a new addition to its skyline: a 250-foot monument.

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Democrats campaigning in red states are divided on Kamala Harris – some going as far as to reject a Harris endorsement. So,what is the Harris strategy barreling ahead towards the midterms? Then polling and campaigns reporter Erin Doherty joins Playbook co-authors Dasha Burns and Adam Wren to discuss the other stories animating Washington: the potential political ambitions of ESPN host Stephen A. Smith and what a POLITICO poll reveals about voters both parties are missing. Plus, a first in Playbook ad for a GOP congressional candidate in Michigan.

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President Donald Trump called data centers the “Golden Goose,” even as they hang like an albatross around the necks of Republicans facing a tough election season. So Playbook's Megan Messerly found out why. Later, Dasha Burns joins alongside JMart to discuss his latest excursion to Vacationland for a sit-down with Sen. Susan Collins, before digging into the moderate Democrats clapping back at Sen. Bernie Sanders. Plus, Playbook looks ahead to the first ever Republican Midterm Convention.

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As the deadline for Canada’s retaliatory tariffs approaches, Playbook caught up with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on whether bilateral trade talks are still in the cards. Then Playbook co-authors Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Megan Messerly dig into JD Vance’s take on data center expansion, Trump’s ambivalent response to a potential Hegseth 2028 run and why the betting platform Kalshi is banning politicians. Plus, reactions to Ken Paxton's new $15 million ad campaign targeting a Senate seat in Texas.

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In a Playbook interview, Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks on Abdul El-Sayed's campaign, Hasan Piker and his political legacy. Playbook co-authors Dasha Burns, Adam Wren and Will Steakin unpack what Sanders’ comments reveal about the midterms, the Democratic establishment and the road to 2028. Then the trio turn to the other stories animating Washington: some (literal) political football in Michigan and an NBC anchor who's the latest name in President Donald Trump's burn book.

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