The Playbook Podcast

Few political stories dominated the headlines and displayed the sharp divisions across the country more in 2025 than redistricting. Under the demands of President Donald Trump, Republicans across the country set out to redraw maps to claw seats into their column as the party tries to protect its slim majority in the House. But Democrats have fought back — with a handful of potential presidential candidates taking up the mantle and positioning themselves to reap the rewards. Playbook’s Adam Wren and politics reporter Andrew Howard break down who came out ahead, and what it means for 2026 and beyond.

Democrats are fretting about a certain candidate profile in red and purple states that’s giving some in the party heartburn. Much of their consternation is over what they view as ultra-liberal positions that are resistance relics of Trump 1.0 — ones they think won’t age well among median voters in states where Democrats already absorbed setbacks. The vetting intensified after Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn cut into GOP margins in a deep-red district, but still lost as Republicans attacked her position on defunding the police. Playbook’s Adam Wren and politics reporter Andrew Howard discuss what the concerns mean for the midterms.

The coalition that sent Donald Trump back to the White House appears fragile as Republicans search for a successor who can unite the party once Trump exits the stage. New results from The POLITICO Poll reveal ideological fault lines that could threaten to break up the base of voters who any potential Republican presidential candidate will rely on in 2028. Vice President JD Vance, who many believe could be up to the task, tried to quell a round of MAGA infighting at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest. Playbook’s Adam Wren and politics reporter Andrew Howard break down what the current state of the right says about the future of the Republican Party.

When President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law in November, he set off a 30-day deadline for the Justice Department to release all the files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Now, that day has come as the Justice Department prepares to drop the long-awaited documents. But what the files actually hold remains unclear. Playbook’s Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss whether the release of the files will spell the end of the story that has dominated headlines throughout the year, or if the new materials will stoke new flames.

President Donald Trump delivered a live address to the nation from the White House in succinct fashion with a sharp focus on the economy on Wednesday night. During the roughly 20-minute speech — which was a far cry from the president’s meandering campaign-style rally in Pennsylvania last week — Trump touted the “progress” that his administration has made in addressing Americans’ cost-of-living concerns. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly assess whether the message will stick with voters ahead of this year’s midterms.