Episodes

  • Call it like it is

    Call it like it is
    Mar 6 2026
    During an exclusive interview with White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns, President Donald Trump made clear that his administration wants to be involved in selecting new leadership for Iran. During a lengthy conversation, Trump weighed in on the still-unfolding situation in Iran, Venezuela and Cuba — among other things. Playbook's Adam Wren and Dasha break down what Trump's latest comments mean. Plus, the Zohran Mamdani manifesto is going global.
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    13 mins
  • Trump's price pickle

    Trump's price pickle
    Mar 5 2026
    The White House pledged that 2026 would see President Donald Trump focused on an affordability agenda, with voters feeling cost-of-living concerns ahead of the midterms. Now, the war that he set off with Iran is causing a spike in gas prices, leading to panic within the administration as they race to tamp down the fallout and pitch a message to voters who are feeling the pinch at the pump. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss the ramifications of the ever-expanding war.
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    13 mins
  • Texas-sized drama

    Texas-sized drama
    Mar 4 2026
    The Texas Senate primary results produced every bit of drama that the races promised ahead of Election Day. Democrats are set to put state Rep. James Talarico up for the nomination, while the Republican race is headed to a runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and state AG Ken Paxton. The question now turns to the White House: Will President Donald Trump put his thumb on the scale ahead of the May 26 runoff? Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns sort through the results.
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    12 mins
  • The Iran messaging quagmire

    The Iran messaging quagmire
    Mar 3 2026
    After a relatively quiet weekend of official communications regarding the war in Iran, the Trump administration ramped up its messaging machine on Monday. President Donald Trump, VP JD Vance and top military leaders all delivered public remarks on the operation, signaling a new front in the White House's efforts to shape the narrative. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss the mix of messaging out of the administration. Plus, it's Election Day in Texas.
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    13 mins
  • Trump's Iran equation

    Trump's Iran equation
    Mar 2 2026
    After a weekend of stunning strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump has said that the military campaign will continue for weeks. But questions remain about the administration's justification for the attack and how Congress is going to react as lawmakers prepare to take war power votes this week. Plus, how will the MAGA base respond to another foreign intervention? Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down the latest fallout from the ongoing Iran operation.
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    13 mins
  • Sen. Slotkin on the real fight within the Democratic party | The Conversation

    Sen. Slotkin on the real fight within the Democratic party | The Conversation
    Mar 1 2026
    Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) joins POLITICO's Dasha Burns on "The Conversation" and responds to President Trump's State of the Union address. Slotkin lays out her vision for the future of the Democratic Party, which could be a Project 2029 for the party. The two also discuss the upcoming midterms and much more.
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    28 mins
  • Trump's Texas two-step

    Trump's Texas two-step
    Feb 27 2026
    With just days to go in the Texas Senate primary, President Donald Trump is descending on the Lone Star State today. But don't expect him to put his thumb on the scale. The president is not expected to endorse in the three-way GOP race between incumbent John Cornyn, state AG Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. The contest is coming down to the wire as opposing factions face off for the future of the Republican Party. Playbook's Adam Wren and Politics Bureau Chief Jonathan Martin break down the latest movement
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    14 mins
  • Iran inflection point

    Iran inflection point
    Feb 26 2026
    Negotiations to reach a nuclear deal with Iran have reached a critical moment. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are back in Geneva for another round of talks with Iranian officials. But the buildup of U.S. military forces and steps toward action continue in the region. Whether President Donald Trump moves forward with a military operation still remains to be seen. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down the high-stakes talks and what might come next.
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    16 mins