Podcast
The Playbook Podcast
Hosted by POLITICO · EN
POLITICO’s Dasha Burns bring her fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the stories driving the day in the nation’s capital. She will be joined by her fellow co-authors and journalists from across POLITICO — available, as always, in audio and video formats each morning.
157episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Ukraine became essential to America’s security (with Olga Stefanishyna)
May 2400:40:43Tap to summarizeUkraine’s ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna joins Dasha Burns on “The Conversation” to discuss whether the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran could pull American attention and weapons away from Kyiv, the state of Ukraine-Russia peace talks and why President Trump and Volodmyr Zelenskyy’s once-rocky relationship has become “iconic.” Have feedback for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.
Transcribe →Wes Moore gets blunt about 2028: I'm hungry, not thirsty | On The Road
May 2300:57:25Tap to summarizeMaryland Gov. Wes Moore sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Baltimore’s iconic Koco's Pub for a wide-ranging conversation about redistricting, the future of the Democratic party and how his military service shaped his views on patriotism, race and America’s role in the world. Moore also opens up about Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s decision to stay in the presidential race too long, Kamala Harris’ future and why Democrats can’t spend years “studying” voters’ frustrations instead of fixing them.
Transcribe →‘Shameful’ and ‘stupid’: Democrats react to autopsy report
May 2200:11:32Tap to summarizeThe DNC's nearly 200-page 2024 campaign autopsy is out — and Democrats are more upset about what's missing than what's in it. Playbook's Dasha Burns and Adam Wren get into it all. Plus, Congress fled town without finishing reconciliation. Then Dasha shares highlights from her interview with Ukrainian Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna on the state of the war and what Ukraine needs from Washington.
Transcribe →Trump's agenda vs. The GOP's agenda
May 2100:13:05Tap to summarizeVote-a-rama could get underway in the Senate today on the Republicans’ second reconciliation bill. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns dig into Republican anxiety over Trump's ballroom, the $1.7B "weaponization" fund, the Iran war's rising costs, and what the CIA director's Havana trip really means. And how the Democrats could use all this for their midterm messaging.
Transcribe →Trump is 3-for-3 on his GOP revenge tour
May 2000:12:15Tap to summarizeThomas Massie is ousted in Kentucky, and more Trump-backed candidates from Alabama to Georgia take the win. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren discuss whether Trump’s grip can last through the midterms Plus, Democrats had a big night in Pennsylvania — and somehow, everyone in DC is already talking about 2028.
Transcribe →Super Primary Tuesday, Todd Blanche, and Rubio vs. Vance
May 1900:15:30Tap to summarizeIt's primary day across six states. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Megan Messerly dive into everything to watch — from a potential runoff in Alabama to the Republican scramble to take on Jon Ossoff in Georgia. Plus, acting AG Todd Blanche heads to the Hill to defend the DOJ's controversial new "anti-weaponization" fund, and JD Vance steps into the White House briefing room with big shoes to fill after Marco Rubio's press debut. And a sneak peek of Megan’s reporting on Rubio versus Vance.
Transcribe →Massie vs. Trump, Cuba, and 2028 already?
May 1800:12:50Tap to summarizeIt's the final day of campaigning in Kentucky's primary, where more than $30 million has been spent. Thomas Massie is trying to keep his seat but will his outspokeness about Trump hurt him? Then, Cuba could be next on Trump’s foreign policy list. And 2028 is so far yet so close, as J.D. Vance is in Kansas City for more than just midterm campaigning.
Transcribe →Iran’s exiled crown prince criticizes Trump’s ‘half-baked’ Iran strategy (with Reza Pahlavi) | The Conversation
May 1700:42:22Tap to summarizeDasha sits down with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, for a live taping of “The Conversation” at POLITICO’s Security Summit. In a wide-ranging interview, Pahlavi discusses the latest on the war in Iran, whether diplomacy with Tehran is possible and the future of the Iranian opposition movement. Have a question for our anniversary special? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.
Transcribe →Gloves off: Map wars and where’s the beef?
May 1500:12:01Tap to summarizeNew polling shows voters actually want the gerrymandering wars — and it has big implications for 2026. Plus, ground beef is nearing $7 a pound and the White House just quietly shelved its plan to fix it. And Trump comes back from China — so why did Taiwan vanish from the official summit readout?
Transcribe →Trump in China: Pageantry and high-stakes meetings
May 1400:10:48Tap to summarizePOLITICO White House reporter Alex Gangitano joins the Playbook Podcast from Beijing, where she’s traveling with Donald Trump during his first state visit to China in nearly a decade. With host Jack Blanchard and China correspondent Phelim Kine, the team unpacks a day of closed-door meetings, carefully choreographed optics and mounting tension between the world’s two biggest powers. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spent more than two hours discussing Taiwan, trade, Iran, fentanyl and the broader future of US-China relations. The team digs into the very different messages coming out of Washington and Beijing, the business heavyweights brought into the talks — including Elon Musk and Tim Cook — and what Trump needs to bring home politically from one of the most closely watched summits of his presidency.
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