| | | |  | | By Jack Blanchard with Dasha Burns | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Eli Okun, Bethany Irvine and Ali Bianco Good Monday morning. This is Jack Blanchard, guiding you through a truly historic morning in world politics as President Donald Trump is in Israel to mark his landmark ceasefire agreement. Please note: We’ve got no Playbook PM or Playbook Podcast for you today due to the federal holiday; normal service will be resumed tomorrow. In today’s Playbook … — Trump gets a hero’s welcome as the last Israeli hostages walk free. — The president walks back attacks on China; plays nice with Xi. — Shutdown Day 13. Still nothing doing.
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | | 
President Donald Trump greets Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu during an arrival ceremony near Tel Aviv, on Monday, Oct. 13. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo | HISTORY MAKER: They’re free. Shortly after 3.30 a.m. Eastern time, the final Israeli hostages were released from Gaza, two years and six days after their capture by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks. Amid joyous scenes across Israel, the 20 hostages (all male, all aged under 50) were handed over to the Red Cross and then, finally, into the arms of their gasping families. It’s the moment Israel has waited for for far too long. Now the world waits to see whether the peace can hold. Trump is feeling bold: “The war is over,” Trump told Playbook’s very own Dasha Burns aboard Air Force One last night. “It’s over. You understand that?” Plenty of Middle East observers are less sure, given the huge, unresolved questions about the future of Hamas and the long-term governance of Gaza. But with the first phase of his peace deal now in motion, Trump has no doubts. “I think people are tired of [fighting],” he told reporters. “The ceasefire is gonna hold.” And he predicted future peacekeeping will not be an arduous task. “I think people will behave,” he said. “Everybody knows their place. It’s going to be great for everybody.” Hero’s welcome: Joy was certainly unconfined in Israel overnight, where the president is being greeted as a hero. An enormous welcome banner stretched out across the beach in Tel Aviv as Air Force One flew in. Huge crowds in Hostages Square, the public plaza that has been a focal point for rallies these past two years, chanted “Thank You Trump” and waved placards bearing his face. Israeli media reported Trump will be awarded the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the State of Israel. Friends reunited: Waiting for Trump on the tarmac this morning — along with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump — was Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom Trump has frequently tussled — but for whom he had nothing but praise today. “He’s done a great job,” Trump told reporters on AF1. “I had some disputes with him, and they were quickly settled.” It was “handshakes and shoulder pats all around” when Trump arrived, Dasha reports from Tel Aviv. Happening now: Trump is addressing the Israeli Parliament — the first U.S. president to do so since George W. Bush in May 2008. According to excerpts of Trump’s prepared speech released by the White House, he will tout a “historic dawn” of a “new” Middle East. “Israel has won all that can be won by force of arms,” Trump will say, according to the prepared remarks. “Now, it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.” You can follow along for all the latest updates with POLITICO’s live coverage.
| | | | A message from Evernorth Health Services: Controversy around GLP-1s and how much pharmaceutical companies want Americans to pay for them continues to rise. Which is why we offer a benefit that ensures members pay no more than $200/month out of pocket for certain GLP-1s for weight loss. That's not a middleman. That's an advocate.
See how Express Scripts Pharmacy Benefit Services is advocating to make GLP-1s more affordable for millions here. | | | | Also basking in the moment: Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who played a significant role in getting to this point. “I wondered if I would ever see this day,” he wrote on X this morning. “It’s deeply gratifying to know that so many families will finally have their loved ones home … But even in this moment of relief and happiness, my heart aches for those whose loved ones will not return alive. Bringing their bodies home is a must and an act of dignity.” Indeed: Of the 28 remaining hostages, 26 are reportedly dead, while the fate of two others is unknown. And Hamas has committed only to returning their bodies where possible. “I think we’ll locate most of them,” VP JD Vance told Fox News yesterday. “I think the reality is some of the [deceased] hostages we may never get back.” Hundreds of Palestinians, too, will be released from captivity today — and return to a Gaza almost razed to the ground by Israeli military action that has left more than 60,000 people dead. Trump said last night the reconstruction of Gaza will take “years,” but predicted the world will see “a great miracle over the coming decades.” And asked if he’d like to visit the strip himself, Trump replied: “I would. I’d be proud to visit.” Next up: Trump is headed to the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh, where he will join more than a dozen fellow world leaders for a Middle East peace ceremony. It will be co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who along with the leaderships of Qatar and Turkey has been credited by the Trump administration with a central role in the peace agreement. Qatar, Trump said last night, has been “so brave” in helping get his deal over the line. Also getting a special shout-out: The U.K. government, and in particular PM Keir Starmer's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, a highly experienced British diplomat who served as Tony Blair’s first Downing Street chief of staff in the late 1990s, helping to broker peace in Northern Ireland. Reports inside the U.K. suggest Powell has become a key sounding board for Witkoff; (Witkoff posted on X this morning about Powell’s “incredible input and tireless efforts.”) Joining Trump & co. in Egypt this morning: At least nine European leaders, including Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; Plus Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Canadian PM Mark Carney, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and more. Big deal: Netanyahu has also been invited and is set to attend. He discussed his participation with al-Sisi by phone earlier today, in the presence of Trump, Dasha and Elena Giordano report. Expect wall-to-wall coverage on TV all day. All in all … This is quite a moment for the U.S. president, who has long yearned to be recognized for some historic achievement upon the world stage. Now in a rush we see hostages released … a hero’s welcome in Israel … a peace deal in place which eluded Joe Biden … and suddenly all that chatter about a Nobel Peace Prize looks a lot less far-fetched, assuming the fighting doesn’t resume over the next 12 months. Either way — surely Trump will get his reward in heaven … ? Nope: “You know, I’m being a little cute — I don’t think there’s anything gonna get me in heaven, I really don’t,” Trump told Fox News’ Peter Doocy on AF1 last night, with a broad grin. “I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound.” Watch the full clip
| | | | A message from Evernorth Health Services: Controversy around GLP-1s and how much pharmaceutical companies want Americans to pay for them continues to rise. Which is why we offer a benefit that ensures members pay no more than $200/month out of pocket for certain GLP-1s for weight loss. That's not a middleman. That's an advocate.
See how Express Scripts Pharmacy Benefit Services is advocating to make GLP-1s more affordable for millions here. | | | | TRADING PLACES FRIENDS AGAIN: After a weekend spent seemingly on the brink of a(nother) trade war with China, Trump walked the whole thing back again last night with a series of friendly messages to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Deja vu: Having angrily threatened to slap China with an additional 100 percent tariff from Nov. 1 if Beijing did not drop its latest restrictions on rare earth exports, Trump suddenly pulled a U-turn and started playing nice again. “I think we’re gonna be fine with China,” the president told reporters on AF1 last night. “I have a great relationship with President Xi. He’s a very tough man, he’s a very smart man, he’s a great leader for their country, and I think we’ll get it set.” Nobody mention TACOs: Indeed, Trump was hardly convincing when asked if the 100 percent Nov. 1 tariff (which he only announced last Friday) is even still government policy. “Yeah — right now it is. Let’s see what happens,” he said. “For me, you know what Nov. 1 is? An eternity. For somebody else, it’s right around the corner. For me, when I hear Nov. 1, it’s an eternity.” Earlier in the day, Trump had posted on Truth Social: “Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine! Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment. He doesn’t want Depression for his country, and neither do I. The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!!” U.S. stock market futures rose overnight on the back of his comments, Reuters reports. It looks like the trade war is off … for today, at least.
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➡️ Sign up for West Wing Playbook | | | | | SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWN SHUTDOWN DAY 13: Congress is out today for the federal holiday as the government shutdown drags into a third week. But the Senate is returning tomorrow to take an eighth (and likely doomed) run at turning the lights back on. An end still appears nowhere on the horizon. First in Playbook — Inside the pressure cooker: Republicans are aiming to up the pressure on Democrats on multiple fronts this week, committing to a series of hardball moves they hope can finally crack Democrats’ united front on the shutdown, POLITICO’s Jordain Carney, Nicholas Wu, Meredith Lee Hill report this morning. But negotiations between the top congressional leaders remain stalled. “And there’s no sign that rank-and-file Senate Democrats — just five of whom could quickly end the shutdown — are ready to flip ahead of another scheduled vote on the House-passed stopgap Tuesday night,” Jordain and crew write. Expect to see more from Democrats this week: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is calling Democratic members back to D.C. for a caucus meeting tomorrow evening, “and Democratic lawmakers are expected to take part in more public appearances this week even as the House stays out of session,” our colleagues note. And Democrats are eyeing another key deadline that could sway the standoff in their favor: the Nov. 1 launch of open enrollment for ACA insurance plans. PROFILE OF A HOLDOUT: One of the Democrats who Republicans thought would be a prime target to lean on was Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff. On paper, the 38-year-old has plenty of reasons to break ranks, POLITICO’s Jordain Carney writes. He “is the most vulnerable Senate Democrat up for re-election next year and his home state has more than 81,000 federal workers at risk for furloughs and firings. In reality, Ossoff is sticking closely to his party’s strategy of trying to reframe the shutdown fight as a battle over health care — and has emerged as an object lesson in the limits of Republican efforts to focus pressure on the Democrats’ soft spots.” COMING CUTS: VP JD Vance warned on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” that there would be “deeper” and more “painful” cuts ahead for federal workers, per AP’s Steve Peoples. “The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be,” Vance said. “To be clear, some of these cuts are going to be painful. This is not a situation that we relish. This is not something that we’re looking forward to, but the Democrats have dealt us a pretty difficult set of cards.” VIEW FROM THE NATIONAL MALL: “Smithsonian visitors arrive to locked doors as federal shutdown continues,” by WaPo’s Daniel Wu
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| | | | BEST OF THE REST FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Home of the Brave is launching a $1 million ad campaign to promote the nationwide No Kings rallies planned for this coming Saturday, Oct. 18, running print ads in hundreds of local papers and national outlets, throughout this week. The campaign also includes a video featuring George Conway encouraging Americans to peacefully protest. Conway says “authoritarianism” is “a cancer” that is “metastasizing,” over images of Trump’s National Guard deployments, James Comey, Letitia James, John Bolton and Jimmy Kimmel. Watch the ad For context: Mike Johnson last week described the planned No Kings rallies as the “hate America rally” that would draw “the pro-Hamas wing” and “the antifa people.” RUSSIA-UKRAINE LATEST: Trump warned Russia yesterday he may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn't end the nearly four-yearslong conflict soon, AP’s Darlene Superville and Will Weissert report from aboard Air Force One. “I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,’” Trump told reporters, “The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that.” His comments come hours after Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via phone about the missiles. Russian officials had previously expressed “extreme concern” over the topic of Tomahawks, per the AP. Zelenskyy told Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing” that he was still waiting for Trump's decision, per POLITICO’s Megan Messerly. ON THE PRESIDENT’S MIND: “So who’s going to be the head anchor at CBS?” Trump jovially asked reporters on Air Force One last night at the end of a 20-minute Q&A on war, peace and world affairs. “Not [chief correspondent] Norah O’Donnell! I don’t believe it.” Larry/David: Trump sounded delighted about the recent changes at CBS, with its billionaire new owners Larry and David Ellison having installed Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. “Larry Ellison is great and his son David is great,” Trump said. “They’re friends of mine. They’re big supporters of mine and they’ll do the right thing … CBS has great potential.” Curb your enthusiasm: This is presumably the kind of talk that CBS legend Dan Rather had in mind last week when he wrote of “a dark day” which “signals to everyone, especially to the man in the Oval Office, that CBS is no longer independent.” Weiss would no doubt reject that analysis, having already vowed to work “tirelessly to make sure CBS News is the most trusted news organization in the world.” Whatever happens — it sounds like the president will be closely watching what comes next. LAW AND ORDER, PART I: Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton is awaiting criminal charges as soon as this week from the acting U.S. attorney in Maryland, per multiple reports. He’s set to join the likes of former FBI Director James Comey and New York AG Letitia James. Up next? Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said he will not be “intimidated” or “deterred” by Trump’s perceived retribution threats as he braces for potential charges directed from the president, The Hill’s Elliott Davis reports. How it’s playing: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told "Meet the Press’” yesterday that the indictments of James and Comey don’t faze him. “This may bother you that people are being held accountable, but it doesn’t bother me one damn bit,” Graham said. LAW AND ORDER PART II: As Portland, Oregon, awaits an appeal court decision on the legality of Trump’s troop deployment to the city, it is facing down the moment armed with a slew of newly elected city leaders, who “pledged to create more accountability” following last year's elections. In a Q&A with Elana Pirtle-Guiney, the new city council president, POLITICO’s Natalie Fertig reports Portland politicians are unsurprised to have garneredTrump’s ire. “I think we all in Portland have known that we would likely be the recipient of his attention at some point,” Pirtle-Guiney said. Related read: “A conservative influencer was arrested in Portland. Trump was watching,” by WaPo’s Robert Klemko and Joshua Partlow
| | | | Introducing Global Security: POLITICO’s weekly briefing on the policies, regulatory battles and industrial shifts shaping defense and security across continents. We connect what happens in Washington, Brussels and beyond to what gets funded, what gets built and who benefits. Subscribe now to access the free preview edition. | | | | | | | TALK OF THE TOWN | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Josh Hammer’s podcast, “The Josh Hammer Show,” is joining the Salem Media Podcast Network through a new distribution partnership with Newsweek. The podcast will launch Thursday and air daily Monday through Friday in a video-first format. WEDDING — John Howes, senior director of government affairs and legislative counsel for the Competitive Carriers Association and a Marcy Kaptur alum, and Domantė Howes, executive director of the Kazickas Family Foundation, recently got married at St. Aloysius Church on the campus of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. They met last summer while he was participating in a Lithuanian Dance Festival in Vilnius. SPOTTED: Pete and Deanna Howes Spiro, Joel Thayer, Bijan Madhani, Claire Gartland, Evan Swarztrauber, Carolyn Mahoney, Tom Struble, Courtney Cowper, Maribeth Collins, Matt Mandel and June and Carl Silverberg. Photo by Neilas Montvilas. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) … Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) … Fox News’ Harris Faulkner … Gerrit Lansing … former second gentleman Doug Emhoff … Michael Tomasky … Gates Foundation’s Clarence Wardell … Tiffany Trump … Ari Fleischer … FGS Global’s Nedra Pickler and Gregg Rothschild … Nate Brand … POLITICO’s Ry Rivard, Emily Cadei and Jenny Scarbrough … Joanna Burgos … The 19th’s Candice Norwood … Dawn Le … K&L Gates’ Dan Crowley … Kris Anderson … former Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) … Daryl Muller … NBC’s Rebecca Shabad … Judy Pino … BBC’s Alexis Saunders … Carla Sands … Resonate’s Jerry Parshall … Christen Linke Young … Sarah Callander … Sarah Stevens … Alice Crites … Jack Krumholtz … Richard Siegel Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us on Signal here. Playbook couldn’t happen without our deputy editor Garrett Ross and Playbook Podcast producer Callan Tansill-Suddath.
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