Episodes

  • February 7, 2025: Reconcilable differences split the GOP

    February 7, 2025: Reconcilable differences split the GOP
    Feb 7 2025
    The Republican battle for the upper hand in the reconciliation debate is in full swing today. House GOP leaders are set to finally unveil their plan. Senate Republicans descend on Mar-a-Lago to woo President Donald Trump toward their own competing vision. In the balance is Trump’s legislative agenda, whose plan will come out on top? Senior Congress editor Mike DeBonis walks Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton through the possibilities. Plus, Russell Vought gets confirmed as OMB director despite Senate Dems protesting for roughly 30 hours straight. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.
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    9 mins
  • February 6, 2025: Elon Musk’s ‘fork in the road’ has arrived

    February 6, 2025: Elon Musk’s ‘fork in the road’ has arrived
    Feb 6 2025
    As Elon Musk wages war on the bureaucracy, federal workers face a time for choosing: At midnight tonight, the self-styled “early buyout” offer to federal employees expires, marking a potential hinge point in the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s work in Washington. How did we get here and what happens next? National political reporter Holly Otterbein joins chief Playbook correspondent Eugene Daniels to go over the details. All of that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.
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    10 mins
  • February 5, 2025: Trump targets trans student athletes in new EO

    February 5, 2025: Trump targets trans student athletes in new EO
    Feb 5 2025
    This afternoon, President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would effectively ban trans women and girls from participating in women’s sports. The move would reverse a change to Title IX implemented by the Biden administration that argued the law should also apply to LGBTQ students. White House reporter Megan Messerly joins chief Playbook correspondent Eugene Daniels to walk through the details and the fallout. Plus, two of Trump’s most controversial committee nominees advance out of committee, and Trump declares the U.S. will “take over” Gaza. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.
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    10 mins
  • February 4, 2025: What’s at stake during today’s Trump-Netanyahu meeting

    February 4, 2025: What’s at stake during today’s Trump-Netanyahu meeting
    Feb 4 2025
    Today, President Donald Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his first visit from a foreign dignitary during his second term. There’s a lot at stake for both leaders — notably, the possibility of a more permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. National security reporter Robbie Gramer joins chief Playbook correspondent Eugene Daniels to walk through what he will be watching for. Plus, a pause to the tariffs before they even began, and what to expect from two consequential confirmation hearings today. All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.
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    10 mins
  • February 3, 2025: The trade war begins

    February 3, 2025: The trade war begins
    Feb 3 2025
    On Saturday, President Donald Trump signed an order to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on energy products from Canada. Those new actions go into effect at midnight, and experts are predicting the economic fallout could be catastrophic. Canadian federal politics reporter and Ottawa Playbook author Nick Taylor-Vaisey joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to give some insight on what tariffs mean for the U.S.-Canada alliance and how regular Canadian citizens are responding. Plus, secretary of State Marco Rubio makes waves in Panama about the canal, and is the end near for USAID? All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.
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    9 mins
  • January 31, 2025: The ‘Midwestern nice’ battle for the Democratic Party

    January 31, 2025: The ‘Midwestern nice’ battle for the Democratic Party
    Jan 31 2025
    As the tragedy at Washington Reagan National Airport dominates the policy conversation in DC, the political conversation is quickly turning to the pivotal Democratic National Committee meeting tomorrow where the party will elect a new head. Minnesota’s Ken Martin and Wisconsin’s Ben Wikler are locked in a neck-and-neck contest for the top seat, and though the two frontrunners appear similar on the surface, there are important differences with major implications for the party’s future. National politics correspondent Adam Wren joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to walk through what to know and who to watch.
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    10 mins
  • January 30, 2025: Tragedy on the Potomac

    January 30, 2025: Tragedy on the Potomac
    Jan 30 2025
    In what appears to be the most serious aviation disaster in the U.S. in more than a decade, last night, a regional passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. We bring you the latest this morning, plus a preview of today’s big hearings on Capitol Hill, as two of President Donald Trump’s most controversial picks face questions: Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel. Congress reporter Jordain Carney joins Playbook Deputy Editor Zack Stanton to walk through what to watch.
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    10 mins
  • January 29, 2025: RFK Jr. hits the hill

    January 29, 2025: RFK Jr. hits the hill
    Jan 29 2025
    Today, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services faces what’s expected to be a contentious Senate hearing. Health care reporter Daniel Payne joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to discuss how RFK Jr.’s history as a noted vaccine skeptic and promoter of other disproven medical beliefs may lead to the most controversial hearing of Trump’s presidency. Plus, a federal judge has blocked Trump's unilateral federal funding freeze, but only temporarily. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.
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    8 mins