The Playbook Podcast

With just days left before a federal funding lapses, a government shutdown is looking more and more likely. There’s no deal in sight that would deliver the Democratic votes to make it through the Senate, top congressional leaders aren’t talking to one another and the race is on to pre-assign blame. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren sort through what you need to know with T-minus seven days remaining. Plus: President Donald Trump makes an abrupt — and potentially hugely consequential — shift on Ukraine. And: Are Democrats too focused on the rear-view mirror instead of the road ahead?

President Donald Trump is set to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York today, and there’s no shortage of topics he could wade into. There’s Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a smattering of U.S.-brokered peace deals, the outlook for beleaguered international institutions and new attempts to reset and remake the global order. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and POLITICO White House reporter Megan Messerly walk through what to expect. Plus, the far-reaching fallout from Trump’s autism announcement is only beginning to be understood.

President Donald Trump and dozens of top administration officials and aides spent Sunday at Charlie Kirk’s stadium-sized memorial service in Arizona. Trump called Kirk “our greatest evangelist for American liberty” and a “martyr” for American freedom, while drawing at least one stark contrast between himself and the late conservative Christian activist. “He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie,” Trump said. “I hate my opponents, and I don’t want the best for them.” That portends turbulence ahead, as Trump returns to Washington eager to press the Justice Department to prosecute his political enemies, readies a major announcement on autism and gears up for a battery of meetings at the U.N. General Assembly. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren unpack what to know as the week begins.

Sriram Krishnan is a venture capitalist who once served as general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Now, he serves as White House Senior Policy Advisor for AI, where he has helped to develop President Trump’s American AI Action Plan. In a live interview with The Conversation host Dasha Burns at POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit, Krishnan discussed what it takes for the United States to win the AI race, how the White House wants to keep “wokeness” out of government-funded AI, and how artificial intelligence will be harnessed, regulated, and contested in the years ahead. “We want to make sure that our ecosystem has market share, and if [China’s] Huawei gets market share that means revenue, that means usage, it makes their chips better, it makes them set up to start exporting to other countries,” Krishnan said. Krishnan explains that the era of artificial intelligence is still very new, and while it closely resembles the early days of the internet, the Trump White House is working to make sure everyday Americans can make good use of the technology. “What I think about is how do we get more of what people here are seeing, which is AI making your lives better, making your work better and figuring out how to get us to economic prosperity.” Plus, Playbook managing editor and in-house UK expert Jack Blanchard breaks down the significance of Trump’s unprecedented second state visit to Great Britain and the president’s close relationship with prime minister Keir Starmer.

There's a hot new fitness trend that may offer some insight into the 2026 midterms, according to a new poll. Women who wear weighted vests are the new niche voting group that could be key for both parties to capture. So who has the early edge? Playbook’s Adam Wren and White House reporter Myah Ward dig in. Plus, former Vice President Kamala Harris paints a fiery picture of her 107-day presidential campaign, and the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension continues.

President Donald Trump is on day two of his U.K. state visit. While Wednesday saw plenty of pomp and circumstance, today will bring the business end. Trump is set to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and talks about trade and Ukraine are likely to top the agenda. Trump will be back in the U.S. later today, and he’s returning as Washington grapples with two big pieces of news: Disney indefinitely pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show off the air over comments made in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s killing. Meanwhile, Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he is designating the antifa movement a terrorist organization. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly break it all down.

President Donald Trump is in the U.K. today for his second state visit, but the spotlight today will be pointed squarely back home in Washington. Attorney General Pam Bondi is attempting to define the debate over free speech one week after Charlie Kirk’s death. Susan Monarez, who was dismissed as head of the CDC, is set to appear before the Senate to detail the break with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that led to her ouster. And Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will announce the central bank’s highly anticipated decision on interest rates. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly break down how it’s all playing out while Trump is abroad.

As President Donald Trump travels to the U.K. this morning, the conversation in the U.S. remains focused on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death. FBI Director Kash Patel is set to appear for a Senate hearing this morning, where he’ll likely face questions over his credibility in light of his response to the investigation. Meanwhile, Kirk’s death is spurring Republicans to go after what they have deemed the “radical left” over the response to Kirk’s death. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren unpack the stakes and what to expect next. Plus, the Federal Reserve's highly anticipated meeting begins this morning.

In the days since the public killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the country has seen an unprecedented level of eulogizing from Washington. Vice President JD Vance escorted Kirk’s body back to Arizona in Air Force Two and is set to host Kirk's podcast Monday afternoon. A number of senior Trump officials spoke at a memorial for Kirk at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night. But how will Kirk’s killing influence the next stage of policymaking from the administration? Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns walk through what may come next.

Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10. Kirk founded Turning Point USA, which became one of the most influential conservative grassroots organizations in the country. He was a larger-than-life figure in Republican politics who was controversial, provocative, and intrinsically tied to the movement of youth toward voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. In the first episode of the newest season of The Conversation, host Dasha Burns, POLITICO’s White House Bureau Chief, speaks with Global Editor-in-Chief John F. Harris about Kirk's death, what it says about the state of free speech in America, and the country's history of political violence.

The FBI and top law enforcement officials continue to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah on Wednesday. In Washington, President Donald Trump and others are cementing the MAGA leader’s legacy, posthumously awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And though Trump praised what he said was Kirk’s advocacy for nonviolence, he also told reporters “we have to beat the hell” out of “radical left lunatics.” Tempers are high among his closest confidants and millions of followers. So, where does that energy go now, and can any figure unite a grieving and angry America? Playbook’s Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly break it down.

Charlie Kirk, the right-wing political influencer and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead in an apparent act of political violence during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Scores of politicians from both sides of the aisle quickly condemned the killing. Trump — who counted Kirk among his close allies — promised action in an address from the Oval Office, stating that his administration “will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it.” Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns walk through how we got to this moment and where things go from here.

It has been one month since President Donald Trump federalized Washington, D.C. His control over the police department expires today, and it appears unlikely Congress will act to extend his power. But the National Guard troops and other federal agents are set to stay for now, so Trump’s influence will likely still be felt throughout the city. The question on everyone’s mind: Where will he direct troops next? Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns explore some possibilities. Plus, the aftershocks from Israel’s shocking bombing of Qatar are being felt in Washington.

The Jeffrey Epstein files are dominating the conversation in Washington today, following the release yesterday of a birthday greeting reportedly sent to Epstein by Donald Trump. Democrats are taking some glee over the release, but Republicans are ignoring the issue altogether, opting instead to focus on immigration and crime. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and POLITICO White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns walk through the situation. Plus, the immigration crackdown in Chicago ramps up, and it’s special election day in northern Virginia.

This morning, President Donald Trump will head to the Museum of the Bible to speak at the second meeting of his Religious Liberty Commission. But as his words aim to shore up support from a key constituency, his actions — ranging from deploying the National Guard in major cities to favorably comparing his efforts to “Apocalypse Now” — risk opening new fissures in American life. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns break it all down. Plus, the inside scoop about the latest public clash within Trump’s inner circle.

The Conversation with Dasha Burns is back! In Season 1, Burns sat down with some of the most powerful players in Washington to get their perspectives on what’s really going on inside The White House. Join The Conversation again as Burns continues to explore how President Trump and his team are fundamentally reshaping the country, and how Democrats are tackling this new era of American politics. Full episodes will now air every Friday, starting Sept. 12.

The private sector jobs boom that President Donald Trump pledged to deliver in his second term is starting to look shaky — and that raises the political stakes for this morning’s new monthly jobs report. Weak numbers — or substantial revisions to previously reported gains — would blow a hole in the Trump administration’s claims its agenda has unleashed a new “Golden Age” for American workers — and could portend a turbulent path ahead for the U.S. economy. Playbook’s Zack Stanton and POLITICO White House reporter Megan Messerly sort out what to expect as the spin cycle fires up. Plus: the Defense Department gets a rebranding, and the Justice Department opens a criminal probe into Lisa Cook.

This morning on Capitol Hill, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear before the Senate Finance Committee to answer questions. Officially, the topic is the "President's 2026 Health Care Agenda." But unofficially, the hearing will offer the first chance for senators to grill Kennedy since the the CDC's internal war over vaccines spilled into public view, pitting scientists and medical professionals against RFK Jr.'s MAHA loyalists. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Politico White House reporter Megan Messerly tell you what to watch for. Plus, President Donald Trump engages with European leaders on Ukraine and Russia, and a who's who of tech world CEOs descend on DC for a Rose Garden soiree.

The day Washington has been anticipating for more than a month has finally arrived: With August recess over and Congress back in action, the furor over the Jeffrey Epstein files is set to ramp up in a major way. From the maneuvering around the bipartisan discharge petition to the public pressure campaign spearheaded by Epstein’s survivors, the story is set to dominate DC today. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Politico White House reporter Megan Messerly talk through what to expect. Plus, Trump threatens to send the military to Chicago and his tariff policies head to the Supreme Court.

When President Donald Trump addresses the press today in the Oval Office, it will be his first public appearance in a week. For many presidents, that wouldn’t be particularly notable. But Trump’s weeklong absence was heard loud and clear and sparked myriad theories about his health and vitality. POLITICO White House reporter Megan Messerly joins Playbook’s Jack Blanchard to discuss that, the president’s latest comments on Russia and all the rest of the news driving the day.