Republicans appear on the verge of losing the Latino voter coalition that helped carry President Donald Trump in 2024. But that doesn’t mean they’re embracing Democrats. Then the other stories animating Washington: several tech companies fund Trump’s effort to accelerate AI, Abdul El-Sayed taps into Flock anxieties in a new attack ad against Mike Rogers, and the Kansas Senate seat is now a toss-up. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

Republicans appear on the verge of losing the Latino voter coalition that helped carry President Donald Trump in 2024. But that doesn’t mean they’re embracing Democrats. Then the other stories animating Washington: several tech companies fund Trump’s effort to accelerate AI, Abdul El-Sayed taps into Flock anxieties in a new attack ad against Mike Rogers, and the Kansas Senate seat is now a toss-up. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

Republicans appear on the verge of losing the Latino voter coalition that helped carry President Donald Trump in 2024. But that doesn’t mean they’re embracing Democrats. Then the other stories animating Washington: several tech companies fund Trump’s effort to accelerate AI, Abdul El-Sayed taps into Flock anxieties in a new attack ad against Mike Rogers, and the Kansas Senate seat is now a toss-up.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

Trump’s Latino coalition cracked

In audio from a private meeting obtained by Playbook, Ken Paxton tells donors he’s never felt less in control of a campaign, as he trails Democrat James Talarico in Texas. Plus in other news: Sam Altman says he’d love to see less money in politics, even as AI money floods the midterms and Pete Buttigieg tests a message that sounds a lot like a preview of 2028. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

In audio from a private meeting obtained by Playbook, Ken Paxton tells donors he’s never felt less in control of a campaign, as he trails Democrat James Talarico in Texas. Plus in other news: Sam Altman says he’d love to see less money in politics, even as AI money floods the midterms and Pete Buttigieg tests a message that sounds a lot like a preview of 2028. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

In audio from a private meeting obtained by Playbook, Ken Paxton tells donors&nbsp;he’s&nbsp;never felt less in control of a campaign, as he trails Democrat James Talarico in Texas.&nbsp;Plus&nbsp;in other news: Sam Altman says&nbsp;he’d&nbsp;love to see less money in politics, even as AI money floods the midterms and Pete Buttigieg tests a message that sounds a lot like a preview of 2028.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

Paxton's campaign control

Nearly a decade after leaving the White House, Barack Obama is still one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful political assets. Then the other stories animating Washington: Open AI CEO Sam Altman faces heat after his POLITICO interview, a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia has U.S. officials watching closely, and what Trump's latest Truth Social posts say about the GOP outlook on the midterms. Plus, Democratic Strategist and former chief of staff to Sen. John Fetterman, Adam Jentleson, joins Playbook for a 200-second interview. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

Nearly a decade after leaving the White House, Barack Obama is still one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful political assets. Then the other stories animating Washington: Open AI CEO Sam Altman faces heat after his POLITICO interview, a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia has U.S. officials watching closely, and what Trump's latest Truth Social posts say about the GOP outlook on the midterms. Plus, Democratic Strategist and former chief of staff to Sen. John Fetterman, Adam Jentleson, joins Playbook for a 200-second interview. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

Nearly a&nbsp;decade after leaving the White House, Barack Obama is still one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful political assets.&nbsp;Then the other stories animating Washington: Open AI CEO Sam Altman faces heat after his POLITICO interview, a&nbsp;suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia has U.S. officials watching closely, and&nbsp;what Trump's latest Truth Social posts say about the GOP outlook on the midterms.&nbsp;Plus,&nbsp;Democratic Strategist and&nbsp;former&nbsp;chief&nbsp;of&nbsp;staff&nbsp;to&nbsp;Sen. John Fetterman,&nbsp;Adam Jentleson,&nbsp;joins&nbsp;Playbook&nbsp;for a 200-second interview.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

It’s 2026. Still Obama’s Party.

Knives are out for MAGA Inc.’s top two globetrotting advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair. Does this open the duo to take the fall if a blue wave materializes in November? Then the other stories animating Washington: Marco Rubio sounds presidential in Athens, despite saying he doesn’t have plans to run in 2028, Mike Rogers takes aim at Trump in his latest ad and a political kink controversy may not be that controversial at all. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

Knives are out for MAGA Inc.’s top two globetrotting advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair. Does this open the duo to take the fall if a blue wave materializes in November? Then the other stories animating Washington: Marco Rubio sounds presidential in Athens, despite saying he doesn’t have plans to run in 2028, Mike Rogers takes aim at Trump in his latest ad and a political kink controversy may not be that controversial at all. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

Knives are out for MAGA Inc.’s top two globetrotting advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair. Does this open the duo to take the fall if a blue wave materializes in November?&nbsp;Then the other stories animating Washington: Marco Rubio sounds presidential in Athens, despite saying he doesn’t have plans to run in 2028, Mike Rogers takes aim at Trump in his latest ad and a political kink controversy may not be that controversial at all.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

Knives out on MAGA Inc.

A Democratic pastor running for Senate in Kansas says Kamala Harris should stay in California, told Chuck Schumer he is a liability and is taking the "woke" label head on. Playbook hears from Adam Hamilton and what his campaign could tell us about the Democrats' appeal to the heartland. Then the other stories animating Washington: Sen. Thom Tillis’ unfiltered texts to the President, Ken Paxton’s Trump problem and what a new bill from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Chuck Schumer says about 2028. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

A Democratic pastor running for Senate in Kansas says Kamala Harris should stay in California, told Chuck Schumer he is a liability and is taking the "woke" label head on. Playbook hears from Adam Hamilton and what his campaign could tell us about the Democrats' appeal to the heartland. Then the other stories animating Washington: Sen. Thom Tillis’ unfiltered texts to the President, Ken Paxton’s Trump problem and what a new bill from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Chuck Schumer says about 2028. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

A Democratic pastor running for Senate in Kansas says Kamala Harris should stay in&nbsp;California,&nbsp;told Chuck Schumer he is a liability and is taking the "woke" label head on.&nbsp;Playbook hears from Adam Hamilton and what his campaign could tell us about the Democrats' appeal to the heartland. Then the other stories animating&nbsp;Washington:&nbsp;Sen. Thom Tillis’ unfiltered texts to the President, Ken Paxton’s Trump problem and&nbsp;what a new bill from&nbsp;Rep.&nbsp;Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sen.&nbsp;Chuck Schumer&nbsp;says about&nbsp;2028.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

The heartland’s ‘woke’ Democrat

John Dean at House Judiciary, the latest on Trump's Mexico trade/immigration agreement and more in today's Audio Briefing.

John Dean at House Judiciary, the latest on Trump's Mexico trade/immigration agreement and more in today's Audio Briefing.

June 10, 2019

GOP infighting over a congressional pay raise, Joe Biden’s Hyde Amendment reversal and more in today's Audio Briefing.

GOP infighting over a congressional pay raise, Joe Biden’s Hyde Amendment reversal and more in today's Audio Briefing.

June 7, 2019

The Hyde Amendment takes center stage in the 2020 race, Nancy Pelosi says she wants to see President Donald Trump in prison and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The Hyde Amendment takes center stage in the 2020 race, Nancy Pelosi says she wants to see President Donald Trump in prison and more in today's Audio Briefing.

June 6, 2019

President Donald Trump on the brink again, a new 2020 poll has Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders 12 points ahead of Trump in Michigan and more in today's Audio Briefing.

President Donald Trump on the brink again, a new 2020 poll has Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders 12 points ahead of Trump in Michigan and more in today's Audio Briefing.

June 5, 2019

Inside Democrats' non-impeachment impeachment campaign, the latest from President Donald Trump's London trip and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Inside Democrats' non-impeachment impeachment campaign, the latest from President Donald Trump's London trip and more in today's Audio Briefing.

June 4, 2019

A reality check on former lawmakers lobbying, President Donald Trump arrives in London with a fiery tweet and more in today's Audio Briefing.

A reality check on former lawmakers lobbying, President Donald Trump arrives in London with a fiery tweet and more in today's Audio Briefing.

June 3, 2019

The chaos of Trump’s Mexico tariff announcement, the latest on the USMCA and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The chaos of Trump’s Mexico tariff announcement, the latest on the USMCA and more in today's Audio Briefing.

May 31, 2019

The latest White House flap over John McCain, the latest on impeachment and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The latest White House flap over John McCain, the latest on impeachment and more in today's Audio Briefing.

May 30, 2019

Joe Biden still way ahead, Mitch McConnell’s latest on the Supreme Court and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Joe Biden still way ahead, Mitch McConnell’s latest on the Supreme Court and more in today's Audio Briefing.

May 29, 2019

Rudy Giuliani’s 2020 plans, Donald Trump veering off topic in Japan and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Rudy Giuliani’s 2020 plans, Donald Trump veering off topic in Japan and more in today's Audio Briefing.

May 28, 2019

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.

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