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.

Truth talk on the State of the Union, House Republicans vote to release their secret intel memo and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Truth talk on the State of the Union, House Republicans vote to release their secret intel memo and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 30, 2018

Understanding the Trump-Schumer relationship, how both parties are handling Me Too and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Understanding the Trump-Schumer relationship, how both parties are handling Me Too and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 29, 2018

The president mulled firing Robert Mueller, buzz on DACA and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The president mulled firing Robert Mueller, buzz on DACA and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 26, 2018

The whiplash White House, President Donald Trump arrives in Davos and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The whiplash White House, President Donald Trump arrives in Davos and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 25, 2018

The speakers list for the annual Republican retreat, the next IRS commissioner and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The speakers list for the annual Republican retreat, the next IRS commissioner and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 24, 2018

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise talks with Playbook about what comes next, anger on the left over the shutdown and more in today's Audio Briefing.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise talks with Playbook about what comes next, anger on the left over the shutdown and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 23, 2018

Day three of the government shutdown, an internal generic ballot poll from the GOP and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Day three of the government shutdown, an internal generic ballot poll from the GOP and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 22, 2018

The House passes a month-long funding bill last night, and now it is a staring contest between Senate Democrats and Republicans. The latest on the shutdown in today's Audio Briefing.

The House passes a month-long funding bill last night, and now it is a staring contest between Senate Democrats and Republicans. The latest on the shutdown in today's Audio Briefing.

January 19, 2018

One day closer to a shutdown, the GOP is reeling from multiple defeats since the 2016 elections and more in today's Audio Briefing.

One day closer to a shutdown, the GOP is reeling from multiple defeats since the 2016 elections and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 18, 2018

The House GOP plan to avoid a shutdown, a bad sign for Republicans in Wisconsin and more in today's Audio Briefing.

January 17, 2017

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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