President Trump is privately calling allies, soliciting their opinions about his once untouchable chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Playbook has exclusive reporting on sharks circling around Wiles – and the names Trump is floating to possibly take her place. Then the other stories animating Washington: Trump’s deal with Putin has Zelenskyy feeling betrayed, Bernie Sanders and AOC are hitting the campaign trail, and the Epstein files have become a campaign flashpoint in Iowa. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

President Trump is privately calling allies, soliciting their opinions about his once untouchable chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Playbook has exclusive reporting on sharks circling around Wiles – and the names Trump is floating to possibly take her place. Then the other stories animating Washington: Trump’s deal with Putin has Zelenskyy feeling betrayed, Bernie Sanders and AOC are hitting the campaign trail, and the Epstein files have become a campaign flashpoint in Iowa. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

President Trump is privately calling allies, soliciting their opinions about his once untouchable chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Playbook has exclusive reporting on sharks circling around Wiles – and the names Trump is floating to possibly take her place. Then the other stories animating Washington: Trump’s deal with Putin has Zelenskyy feeling betrayed, Bernie Sanders and AOC are hitting the campaign trail, and the Epstein files have become a campaign flashpoint in Iowa.&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;

Susie’s turn

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.

Trump's pick for the VA is on the ropes, the administration's first state dinner tonight and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Trump's pick for the VA is on the ropes, the administration's first state dinner tonight and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 24, 2018

The latest Playbook Power List, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise's new joint fundraising committee and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The latest Playbook Power List, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise's new joint fundraising committee and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 23, 2018

NAFTA concerns bubble up on the Hill, the Comey memos are released and more in today's Audio Briefing.

NAFTA concerns bubble up on the Hill, the Comey memos are released and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 20, 2018

Senate Republican outside groups raise nearly $13.9 million, House groups spend more on a district Trump won by 20 and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Senate Republican outside groups raise nearly $13.9 million, House groups spend more on a district Trump won by 20 and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 19, 2018

Former first lady Barbara Bush dies at 92, The Washington Post reports that CIA Director Mike Pompeo met with Kim Jong Un and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Former first lady Barbara Bush dies at 92, The Washington Post reports that CIA Director Mike Pompeo met with Kim Jong Un and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 18, 2018

The president's weekend golf partners, where the Congressional Leadership Fund is buying ads and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The president's weekend golf partners, where the Congressional Leadership Fund is buying ads and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 17, 2018

James Comey kicks off his media tour, the big picture look at Biden 2020 and more in today's Audio Briefing.

James Comey kicks off his media tour, the big picture look at Biden 2020 and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 16, 2018

Vice President Mike Pence and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy return to the fundriasing circuit, highlights from James Comey's book and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Vice President Mike Pence and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy return to the fundriasing circuit, highlights from James Comey's book and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 13, 2018

What comes next after Speaker Paul Ryan's bombshell retirement, bursting Trump's bubble on the spending bill and more in today's Audio Briefing.

What comes next after Speaker Paul Ryan's bombshell retirement, bursting Trump's bubble on the spending bill and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 12, 2018

Recapping Mark Zuckerburg's first day on the Hill, the cash race is on and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Recapping Mark Zuckerburg's first day on the Hill, the cash race is on and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 11, 2018

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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