Politico Playbook Audio Briefing

If former President Donald Trump wanted to steal back the spotlight after a week of the attention being on VP Kamala Harris, he did that. But it seems likely to backfire in a major way. Yesterday, Trump used an appearance at the NABJ conference to launch a new battery of attacks aimed at Harris’ racial identity — and specifically at the fact that she is both Black and Indian-American. Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels discuss that — and break a bit of news about Harris’ VP search.

On Tuesday, the Heritage Foundation confirmed that Paul Dans, the director of the contentious 2025 Presidential Transition Project, or Project 2025, is stepping down. However, Dans’ departure does not mean the project is shutting down. National politics correspondent Meridith McGraw chats with Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza about how this shakeup will play out during the final few months until the election. Plus, when to expect Harris' VP announcement, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Democrats have been on cloud nine for the past week since President Joe Biden announced his decision not to run for re-election. However, Republicans have shifted their focus and sharpened their strategy for attacking Harris. The Trump campaign is going live with its first TV ad attacking Harris in swing states today. They will blame the crisis at the US-Mexico border on Harris, the Biden administration's so-called "border czar." Will it be enough to dampen the electric momentum surrounding the vice president? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade looks into it. In addition, a bipartisan expansion of the child tax credit is up for a vote today, and it is expected to be defeated by Republicans. How will this play with Republicans' family value-centric identity?

President Joe Biden may not be running for reelection, but that does not mean he intends to be invisible during his lame duck period. Today, Biden is expected to present a proposal to significantly reform the Supreme Court, which included imposing term limits on justices. Biden's decision marks a significant departure from his longstanding reluctance to change the court. White House Correspondent Adam Cancryn joins Playbook editor Mike DeBonis to break down what this all means. Plus, what we know about how the presidential race is shaping one week after Biden's departure from it, and two events around the world that could have large implications for the U.S. That, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

The struggle is real. Ever since Kamala Harris emerged as the likely Democratic presidential nominee, Donald Trump’s allies have struggled to land on a consistent line of attack against the VP. The result? A gusher of insults aimed at Harris’ identity rather than her policies. Can the rhetoric be reined in? Breaking news reporter Irie Sentner joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to explore. Plus, Harris receives an official endorsement from the Obamas, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Last night, President Joe Biden gave a rare Oval Office speech to mark an even more rare occurrence: A president who is eligible for another term choosing not to run for reelection. While at times forward-looking — as when he reiterated his support for VP Kamala Harris — the address was, on its face, an attempt at legacy building. Biden checked off a list of his accomplishments, and framed his overall decision as being taken in the defense of democracy — which, he said, was “more important than any title.” But his remarks also provided a reminder of the same performance concerns that led to calls for him to step aside. What comes next? White House correspondent Eli Stokols joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to unpack it all.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday afternoon. However, the recent shakeup in the presidential race has overshadowed what would normally be Washington's biggest story. A vocal few lawmakers have stated that they will not attend the address, and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris will also not attend due to a prior commitment. So what should we expect from the speech, and from the Prime Minister's meetings with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump later in the week? National Security Daily author Matt Berg joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to offer some insight. Plus, what we know about Biden's Oval Office address this evening. That, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

Kamala Harris has received enough commitments to move closer to clinching the Democratic presidential nomination. When Harris previously ran for the Democratic nomination, her record was criticized for being insufficiently progressive. But this time around, that characterization could actually give her an advantage. Former prosecutor and current senior writer for Politico Magazine, Ankush Khardori, joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, the latest on who will attend the meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

For the first time in over 50 years, a sitting president eligible for a second term has opted to forgo reelection. After weeks of speculation, the president announced on Sunday that he would withdraw from the race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. According to reports, the decision caught not only Democratic politicians off guard, but also members of Biden's campaign and White House staff. And with less than a month until the Democratic National Convention, many details must be worked out as the dust settles. Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, and Ryan Lizza break it all down.

On Thursday night, Donald Trump gave the longest televised acceptance speech ever, and while the crowd was initially locked in, it later grew restless. The news elephant in the room for many reporters was actually President Biden, as speculation continues to increase about when — and if — he steps down from the ticket. Playbook co-authors Ryan Lizza, Eugene Daniels, and Rachael Bade share their takes after the speech, what they're hearing about Biden from sources, and try to go find steak.

J.D. Vance officially accepted his party’s nomination for vice president Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention. To unpack how Vance's speech played in the room — and the split screen as speculation around Biden grew Wednesday — Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza is joined by Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels and national political correspondent Adam Wren.

Day two of the 2024 Republican National Convention was informally about the runners-up. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis were two of the notable speakers. Each pledged their full support for the Trump/Vance ticket, urging even those who don't see eye-to-eye with the former president on every single issue to follow suit. But is the message of unity merely a facade? Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza and Politics Bureau Chief Jonathan Martin caught up with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-T.X.), the 2016 runner-up, to ask just that, and more.

Roughly halfway through the first day of the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump announced that had chosen J.D. Vance, a junior senator from Ohio, as his running mate. But of course although the announcement was one of the biggest and arguably most important moments of the election cycle, it was overshadowed by the biggest elephant in the room: Trump's attempted assassination over the weekend. The former president isn't scheduled to speak until Thursday, but his appearance Monday—with a large bandage on his ear—was unquestionably the highlight of the day. Olivia Beavers sat down with Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza in Milwaukee last night to unpack that and the rest of the highlights from the day.

The Republican National Convention begins today, with former President Donald Trump expected to address attendees on Thursday. But all expectations of what that moment would hold were shattered when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. National politics correspondent Meridith McGraw joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels from Milwaukee to talk about how the extraordinary incident will effect the convention.

It was almost certainly the most important press conference of President Joe Biden’s long career. And now that it’s done … well, things seem even more unclear than they were before. Democrats now find themselves in a sort of purgatory while their ultimate fate remains undetermined.  Was it enough to silence the naysayers? Probably not. But it also wasn’t bad enough to swell their ranks, either. Where do things head from here? White House reporter Myah Ward — who was in the room during Biden’s presser — talks it through with Playbook co-author Rachael Bade.

What’s driving the day today is what’s been driving the day: Joe Biden’s health and whether he’s going to stay in the race. Recently, the Biden campaign has begun calling delegates, in what politics bureau chief and senior political columnist Jonathan Martin calls an unprecedented sign of the times. He talks about it with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels.

A Tuesday meeting with Hill Democrats left many who initially expressed concerns after the debate two weeks ago reluctantly falling in line with Biden or saying nothing at all. Though the dam appears to be holding behind the president for now, will it stay strong? What will happen if Biden stumbles again before the Democratic National Convention next month? Congressional reporter Nicholas Wu joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to break it all down.

Over the next few days, the spotlight on Joe Biden will only sharpen as the president attends this year’s NATO summit in Washington. His first big test will be a major address today commemorating the 75th anniversary of the organization. Whether a strong performance there — and at a Thursday news conference — can calm the nerves of Democrats still shaken by a shoddy debate performance is another thing entirely. White House correspondent Adam Cancryn joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through what's happening with the Democratic debate over calling for Biden to step aside. Plus, what we’re watching out of Biden’s ultra secure meeting with House Democrats this morning, and all the rest of the news you need to know today.

Congress returns today after time off for the Fourth of July, but it is the forthcoming presidential election that is the only thing anyone is talking about. More and more Democrats are coming out of the woodwork to suggest President Joe Biden step aside and pass the baton to another candidate to run in November. But who, if anyone, actually has influence over the decision? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through what she is watching.

Nearly a week after the disastrous presidential debate, more Democrats are going on the record to suggest President Biden step aside and let another candidate be the nominee for president in 2024. After prominent Democrats called questions about Biden’s mental acuity “valid,” a cascade of other voices echoed the sentiment. But that introduces a potentially more complicated question: if not Biden, who? Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels take stock of the Democratic disarray.