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.

A top Trump economic adviser may leave the White House soon, the president goes after Robert Mueller and the FBI and more in today's Audio Briefing.

A top Trump economic adviser may leave the White House soon, the president goes after Robert Mueller and the FBI and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 10, 2018

Paul Ryan's huge fundraising haul, more escalation in Syria and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Paul Ryan's huge fundraising haul, more escalation in Syria and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 9, 2018

More troubles for Scott Pruitt, Trump is considering an additional $100 billion in China tariffs and more in today's Audio Briefing.

More troubles for Scott Pruitt, Trump is considering an additional $100 billion in China tariffs and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 6, 2018

Rex Tillerson's army of private consultants, the Pruitt files continue and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Rex Tillerson's army of private consultants, the Pruitt files continue and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 5, 2018

China responds to Trump's tariffs, another warning sign for Republicans in Wisconsin and more in today's Audio Briefing.

China responds to Trump's tariffs, another warning sign for Republicans in Wisconsin and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 4, 2018

Mueller was authorized by the DOJ to investigate Paul Manafort for collusion with the Russian government, the "Trump slump" in the stock market and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Mueller was authorized by the DOJ to investigate Paul Manafort for collusion with the Russian government, the "Trump slump" in the stock market and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 3, 2018

The escalating trade war, a profile on one of D.C.'s top lobbyists and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The escalating trade war, a profile on one of D.C.'s top lobbyists and more in today's Audio Briefing.

April 2, 2018

Amazon cuts contracts with lobbying firms, the Russian ambassador tries to find someone to meet with and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Amazon cuts contracts with lobbying firms, the Russian ambassador tries to find someone to meet with and more in today's Audio Briefing.

March 30, 2018

The future of House Republican leadership, Trump ousts another cabinet official and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The future of House Republican leadership, Trump ousts another cabinet official and more in today's Audio Briefing.

March 29, 2018

A poll the president will like, House Republicans will try to pass a balanced-budget amendment and more in today's Audio Briefing.

A poll the president will like, House Republicans will try to pass a balanced-budget amendment and more in today's Audio Briefing.

March 28, 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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