The Playbook Podcast

It’s U.N. General Assembly week and Mike Waltz is in the spotlight again. Is his role as U.S. ambassador a springboard to higher aspirations? POLITICO's senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi joins to discuss. Plus a source in the intelligence community is calling one of Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s senior advisors a “walking counterintelligence red flag” after a wedding mishap, Trump preps for two headline-making meetings, and the president continues his battle against the media.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-endorsed challenger, joined Dasha to discuss the future of the Republican Party and reflect on how to make Congress more effective as he enters his final months in office. Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, also addresses his vote to confirm HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the measles outbreak and vaccine policy, the influence of the MAHA movement, Social Security’s looming funding crisis and the need for congressional guardrails on artificial intelligence. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

AI is quickly becoming a 2028 litmus test for Democrats. Playbook spoke with some of the party’s potential presidential contenders grappling with the latest wave of AI doom. Then the other stories animating Washington: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sends a message to President Donald Trump and Sen. Bill Cassidy gets candid about RFK Jr. Plus Democratic strategist Rob Flaherty joins Playbook for a 200-second interview on the politics behind AI.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

The debate over AI safety took center stage at POLITICO’s Decoded Summit. Senior technology reporter Brendan Bordelon joins the podcast to unpack where top Trump AI adviser David Sacks draws the line on safety measures and how the tech industry is responding to Washington’s growing appetite for guardrails. Then a breakdown of the other stories animating Washington: Gov. Josh Shapiro sends some 2028 signals with a new slate of AI announcements, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman weighs in on a potential Kamala Harris comeback and Hasan Piker gets airtime on a major cable network.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Most Americans say there is a risk of AI destroying humanity – that's according to a new POLITICO Poll about public perception of AI. What does the data say about AI as a driving force in 2028? Then Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Adam Wren digest the other news animating Washington: President Trump’s Kennedy Center meltdown, why bestiality became a major focus of a Senate hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel and a preview of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate announcement. Plus, a first-in-Playbook look at a new campaign ad in New Hampshire from Senate Majority PAC.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook