Last night in Des Moines, the split-screen reality of the GOP primary was on full display. On CNN, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley brutalized each other for two hours during a debate essentially for second place — largely ignoring the man who even while absent from the stage, is running away with the race. Instead, a noticeably subdued former President Donald Trump took to a Fox News-sponsored town hall, where he mostly focused on a general election message. What should we make of it all? Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Ryan Lizza sort through what matters, what didn’t and where things stand with just a few days left.

January 11, 2024: The Trump vs. Haley vs. DeSantis split screen

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Mike Johnson has had a big week. Most notably, he survived a long-awaited attempt by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him as Speaker. Playbook co-authors Ryan Lizza and Rachael Bade sat down with him shortly after for nearly an hour for Playbook Deep Dive; they join Playbook Editor Mike DeBonis to discuss what they learned, what they were surprised by, and what’s next for Speaker Mike Johnson.

May 10, 2024: The paradox of Mike Johnson

Last night, President Joe Biden drew a clear red line that Israel is rapidly approaching: After months of devastating military efforts, he will halt shipments of bombs and other munitions to Israel if it launches a major military invasion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah. But as Pentagon reporter Lara Seligman tells Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels, Biden’s new conditions may come too late. Plus, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s  (R-Ga.) long-awaited attempt to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson goes down in flames.

May 9, 2024: Biden's breaking point on Israel

President Joe Biden is betting that $1.6 trillion in climate and infrastructure money can transform America, create green jobs, out-compete China — and maybe catapult him to a second term. But according to a POLITICO analysis of public data, only a small portion of that money has been spent. Energy reporter Zack Colman joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, the ongoing feud between Rep. Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthy, and a Florida judge indefinitely delayed former President Trump's classified document case.

May 8, 2024: Can Biden Trump-proof his $1.6 trillion legacy before the election?

On Monday, Hamas approved a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar. But Israel did not approve of the proposal, which national security reporter Alex Ward tells Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza is “softer” than what Israel wanted. As Israel's invasion of Rafah looms, President Biden finds himself in a bind on how to navigate the increasingly complicated situation. Plus, a look inside the meeting between Marjorie Taylor Greene and Speaker Mike Johnson.

May 7, 2024: Biden’s Israel-Gaza bind

Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife have been indicted on bribery charges, and Republicans are looking to squeeze the scandal for all it's worth. This comes mere months after New Jersey Congressman Bob Menendez faced a similar indictment, and the plan, Playbook co-author Rachael Bade is told, is to use the situations as proof of questionable ethics within the party. Also on the agenda this week: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will force a vote on the motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson, and Republicans ramp up the offensive on campus protests. All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

January 11, 2024: The Trump vs. Haley vs. DeSantis split screen

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