| | | |  | | By Adam Wren | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco, Irie Sentner and Makayla Gray On today’s Playbook Podcast: Adam and JMart discuss the wild final days of the Texas Senate primaries, a Joe Biden campaign stop and the Trump-Mamdani bromance.
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| Happy Friday. This is Adam Wren. After a few days reporting in Texas – and consuming copious amounts of brisket and jalapeno cheddar sausage at Terry Black’s Barbecue in Dallas – I was feeling a little self-conscious about the quality of my campaign trail diet. Thankfully, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. says it’s “REAL FOOD.” Get in touch. FRIDAY LISTEN: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) spoke to Dasha for this week’s episode of “The Conversation,” where she gave her prescription for winning elections. “Democrats need, frankly, like our own ‘Project 2029,’” Slotkin said. “We need to show the value proposition, and not just like in 13-paragraph policy proposals that no one really reads but in clear, understandable ways where people like, you know, my family members understand what we’re gonna do and how it’s going to work. … I think until Democrats figure that out, we’re gonna have a hard time making that case to people, ’cause being mad at Donald Trump is not an aggressive forward-looking case to make.” Watch the full episode … Listen and subscribe on Apple and Spotify MUST-READ PROFILE: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) talked with POLITICO Magazine’s Michael Kruse for more than 20 hours for an unprecedented and definitive profile of one of the most confounding and compelling figures in American politics. The North Carolina-based Kruse made two trips to Washington and six trips to South Carolina over the course of nine months of reporting. He talked to her mother, her father, her sister and scores of others who know her. “You know me better,” Mace told Kruse late last month, “than I know myself.” Read the report In today’s Playbook … — Donald Trump descends on Texas — with no endorsement in sight. — Joe Biden heads to South Carolina … with 2028 on his mind. — Bill Clinton testifies on Jeffrey Epstein in Chappaqua.
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | DALLAS — When President Donald Trump pops up in Texas for an event at the Port of Corpus Christi at 3:05 p.m., he’s not expected to put his finger on the scale in the closely watched Republican Senate primary between incumbent John Cornyn, state AG Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt — all of whom will be in attendance. But Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign team’s involvement with Cornyn’s reelect is opening a fresh wound for some pro-Paxton MAGA types. Tony Fabrizio, Trump’s top pollster, is working for Cornyn’s campaign, and Chris LaCivita, one of Trump’s top campaign hands, works as a senior adviser for the pro-Cornyn super PAC Texans for a Conservative Majority. Steve Bannon, the longtime MAGA torchbearer, has taken issue with Fabrizio and LaCivita’s involvement. “My belief is the Trump team should have stayed out of this race, absolutely,” Bannon told Playbook from a rented ranch in North Texas, where he’s been broadcasting his “War Room” show. Asked about Bannon’s criticism of their involvement with Cornyn’s reelection efforts, Fabrizio did not respond — but LaCivita texted Playbook a fiery reply: “Associating with Senator Cornyn is better than being a lacky [sic] for Epstein,” he said, an apparent reference to Bannon’s newly surfaced ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department’s release of documents in January revealed extensive exchanges that Epstein had with Bannon as he mounted a political influence campaign across Europe. Bannon has said little publicly about his relationship with Epstein, but he did previously call for an independent investigation into the files. Bannon didn’t respond to a request for comment on LaCivita’s response. The intraparty conflict between the high-level MAGA powerbrokers portends a messy — and expensive — expected runoff. For the kind of bad blood the coming weeks could bring, look no further than this morning’s column by POLITICO’s own Jonathan Martin, who spent time with Cornyn in Edinburgh. “I feel a responsibility to the state and to the people I represent not to turn it over to a crook — and then risk the seat, risk all the downballot races in the process,” Cornyn told JMart, laying out the stakes of next week’s primary. Cornyn isn’t exactly projecting Trumpian confidence that he’ll prevail: “Well, I mean, we’ll see,” he told JMart. “I have to tell you that I won the last primary I had with 77 percent of the vote, but it’s just a very different dynamic.”
| | | | A message from AHIP: 35 Million Seniors Could See Reduced Benefits and Higher Costs. Health plans welcome reforms to strengthen Medicare Advantage. However, a proposal for flat program funding at a time of sharply rising medical costs and high utilization of care will directly impact seniors' coverage. If finalized, this proposal could result in benefit reductions and higher costs for 35 million seniors and people with disabilities when they renew their Medicare Advantage coverage in October 2026. Learn more. | | | | The primary also foreshadows what’s likely to be an increasing number of such battles for the future of the Republican Party. Bannon, who’s all in for Paxton, is portraying the expected runoff between Paxton and Cornyn as nothing less than the battle for the soul of MAGA. “The Paxton situation is critical, because he has been the MAGA guy since Day One,” Bannon told Playbook. Paxton, Bannon said, is more than just a candidate in a contested GOP primary. “He is a symbol of the heart of the grassroots MAGA movement.” A White House official told Playbook “the president is neutral until he’s not,” and added that “John Cornyn votes with the President.” LaCivita declined to share the backstory of how he and Fabrizio ended up working with Cornyn. But the White House doesn’t seem bothered. “We don’t regulate the business/political choices of private individuals — if they are a part of our world — in a race where the President is neutral,” the White House official told Playbook. In the first major contest of 2026, Trump’s presence in the Lone Star State looms as large as the Texas sky. Smart Texas watchers are anticipating presidential year turnout out and beyond — and that’s creating all kinds of uncertainties for both parties.
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| | | | TRAIL MIX FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Redistricting rodeo: Virginians for Fair Elections, the campaign pushing Virginia voters to adopt a new congressional map that could net Democrats up to four new seats, is launching a new six-figure ad investment focused on reaching Black and Latino voters statewide through digital, streaming and Spanish-language radio, Playbook’s Ali Bianco reports. The new blitz is part of a broader effort to reach voters of all backgrounds ahead of early voting, which kicks off next Friday, the group told Playbook. The referendum is facing continuing litigation and a temporary injunction, but the state Supreme Court previously ruled in its favor. Watch the digital ad MAINE MAYHEM: Top union leaders are pressing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the DSCC to end their support for Maine Gov. Janet Mills in the Senate primary, “pointing to what they describe as her weaker record with labor,” NBC’s Allan Smith and Bridget Bowman report. United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain — whose org is backing Mills’ opponent Graham Platner — has spoken with Schumer about Maine and “discussed with Schumer what he views as the ‘shortcomings’ in Democratic leaders’ approach to the 2026 midterms, ‘particularly their failure to adequately listen to working-class voters.’” Endorsement watch: But Mills isn’t without her supporters. ModSquad is backing the governor in her bid for the Senate, the group told Playbook. “Maine voters have consistently voted for moderate candidates who they can trust to get things done, and that’s Janet Mills,” executive director Jennifer Mueller said. Speaking of Platner: “Graham Platner once again under fire for a now-deleted social media post,” by the Portland Press Herald’s Drew Johnson: “The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate’s campaign shared a post on the social media platform X from Stew Peters, a far-right personality who has espoused antisemitic and white nationalist views online. … The campaign shared the post with its own comment: ‘As always, there’s one thing that brings Republican and Democratic politicians together: sending other people’s children to die in stupid wars in the Middle East.’ … In an email to the Press Herald, a campaign spokesperson said the post was quickly taken down once they realized it was from Peters.” A VISIT FROM UNCLE JOE: Former President Joe Biden will be the featured guest at a reception in South Carolina today as Democrats in the Palmetto State push to keep it in the early mix for the 2028 presidential primary calendar, per Axios. Senior Democratic officials who will decide the order of the primaries will be in attendance. South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain has billed the reception as a “rare opportunity to spend time with the former president.” Biden, of course, was instrumental in moving South Carolina to the front of the line in 2024. WHAT’S ON THE MENU: It’s the last day of House Democrats’ Issues retreat, where Dems have been talking about going all-in on an affordability agenda this year … they just haven’t decided yet which policies will actually be in it, POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy and Calen Razor report from Leesburg, Virginia. The most unifying policies are mostly aimed at pushing back against the Trump administration — and as Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) aptly put it to our colleagues: “We can’t be just anti-Trump.” More from POLITICO’s Inside Congress
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➡️ Subscribe Now | | | | | BILL IS BACK ANOTHER CLINTON DEPOSITION: Former President Bill Clinton is due in Chappaqua, New York today, where he’ll sit for a deposition over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His testimony before members of the House Oversight Committee comes one day after his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, gave her own closed-door testimony — and in some ways turned up the pressure on Bill. (And as if the story needed another layer, today is Chelsea Clinton’s birthday.) What he’s walking into: Hillary offered little new information during her six hours under oath, during which she largely punted questions, POLITICO’s Maya Kaufman, Gelila Negesse and Hailey Fuchs report. According to Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), Clinton’s refrain was often: “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask my husband.” Speaking to reporters afterward, Hillary Clinton said, “I don’t know how many times I had to say I did not know [Epstein] … I never went to his island, I never went to his homes, I never went to his offices.” The Democratic reaction: While many of the committee’s top Democrats have largely embraced the opportunity to question the Clintons — a bipartisan agreement that the committee’s Republicans have touted — they also want the Republican majority to release a full, unedited transcript within 24 hours, Maya and Gelila report. Up next? Today is the deadline for Peter Mandelson, the ex-British ambassador who was arrested and then released by London police, to respond to Oversight Democrats’ request for testimony. More Epstein fallout: “DOJ reviewing if Epstein files with Trump allegations were wrongly withheld,” by WaPo’s Perry Stein … “Justice Department Exposed Cooperating Witnesses in Epstein Files,” by NYT’s Jonah Bromwich and William Rashbaum … “World Economic Forum head Børge Brende steps down following pressure over Epstein links,” AP
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| | | | BEST OF THE REST THE DRUMBEAT OF WAR: VP JD Vance is trying to stifle concerns of another forever war in the Middle East, telling WaPo’s Natalie Allison “there is no chance” we will be in a drawn-out war even as military strikes in Iran remain on the table. “I think we all prefer the diplomatic option,” Vance said. “But it really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say.” But the beat goes on: U.S. CENTCOM leader Adm. Brad Cooper briefed Trump yesterday about possible strike options in Iran, ABC’s Anne Flaherty and Rachel Scott scoop. That comes after Iran and the U.S. wrapped six hours of negotiations in Geneva, with no breakthrough on whether Iran will dismantle its nuclear program, NYT’s Farnaz Fassihi and David Sanger report. Officials described the talks as positive, but the White House has largely declined to comment. The officials could regroup as soon as next week. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — MAGA’s new front: The push for solar power and energy has a new pair of unlikely allies: Katie Miller and Kellyanne Conway, POLITICO’s Kelsey Brugger and colleagues report this morning. “According to a confidential strategy memo obtained by POLITICO, their advocacy is aligned with a campaign by members of the nation’s largest renewable energy lobby group to MAGA-fy solar power — technology that Trump once derided as ‘a blight on our country.’” DON-ROE DOCTRINE: The boat involved in the deadly shooting with Cuba’s coast guard did have U.S. citizens onboard, Axios’ Marc Caputo scooped. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. is investigating the incident. “Some of those who were on the boat have criminal records, the official said, and at least one of those killed was a U.S. citizen.” … In the bigger struggle with Cuba, while regime change on the Caribbean island has long been an endgame for some in the administration, Trump “does not want a sudden power vacuum in Havana” and may agree to a deal, NYT’s Michael Crowley reports. ON A COLLISION COURSE: “Anthropic rejects Pentagon’s AI demands,” by POLITICO’s Brendan Bordelon: “The artificial intelligence startup Anthropic on Thursday rejected the Pentagon’s demand for unfettered access to its Claude AI model, suggesting it is willing to risk the serious penalties threatened by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. … Anthropic’s defiance follows unprecedented pressure from the Pentagon to abandon its restrictions on the military’s use of Claude.” FED UP: “Federal Reserve Mounts Closed-Door Fight Against Justice Department Subpoenas,” by WSJ’s C. Ryan Barber and colleagues: “The Federal Reserve is waging a behind-closed-doors legal challenge to a pair of subpoenas issued as part of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s criminal investigation into Chair Jerome Powell … The Fed, in sealed proceedings, is asking a judge to quash the subpoenas, which could reduce or eliminate its obligation to respond. Its specific legal arguments couldn’t immediately be learned.” SNOWBALL EFFECT: The buzzy bromance between Zohran Mamdani and Trump continues to fascinate the political world — but back home in New York City, a chillier relationship is vexing the NYC mayor, POLITICO’s Joe Anuta and Chris Sommerfeldt report. Mamdani is increasingly at odds with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, a billionaire heiress beloved by Trump, as an ideological rift between the two stands to play out for much of the mayor’s term. THE WEEKEND AHEAD FRIDAY PROGRAMS … POLITICO “The Conversation”: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). C-SPAN “Ceasefire”: Mitch Landrieu and Mercedes Schlapp … Stephanie Cutter and Tiffany Smiley. PBS “Washington Week”: Andrew Desiderio, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Stephen Hayes and Tarini Parti. SUNDAY SO FAR … NBC “Meet the Press”: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) … Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) … Steve Kornacki. Panel: Stephen Hayes, Jeh Johnson, Carol Lee and Jonathan Martin. FOX “Fox News Sunday”: Michael Whatley … Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) … Keith Kellogg … Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.). Panel: Marie Harf, Hans Nichols and Reince Priebus. CNN “State of the Union”: Jack Schlossberg. Panel: Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Ashley Allison, Scott Jennings and Xochitl Hinojosa. ABC “This Week”: Panel: Donna Brazile, Sarah Isgur, Faiz Shakir and Doug Heye. MS NOW “The Weekend: Primetime”: Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.) ... Daniel Koh. PBS “Compass Points”: Keith Kellogg.
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➡️ Get on the Invite List | | | | | | | TALK OF THE TOWN | | SPOTTED: Susie Wiles, Tony Fabrizio and Chris LaCivita dining at Fiola Mare last night. MEDIAWATCH — Netflix declined to match Paramount SkyDance’s latest bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, saying Paramount is “overpaying” and effectively ceding the bidding war for the major studio company, POLITICO’s Yasmin Khorram and Sophia Cai report. That comes after Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos met with the White House and top regulators at the DOJ to discuss the deal. FLOTUS FILES — “Melania Trump will preside over a UN Security Council meeting in a first for a first lady,” by AP’s Edith Lederer: “U.S. first lady Melania Trump will preside over a U.N. Security Council meeting in what the United Nations on Thursday said would be a first. … The United States takes over the rotating presidency of the 15-member council for the month of March, and the first lady’s office said the meeting she will preside over will ‘emphasize education’s role in advancing tolerance and world peace.’” SPORTS BLINK, PART I — “World Cup host cities still in the dark on $625M in promised security funding,” by POLITICO’s Sophia Cai: “With just over 100 days until kickoff, the 11 U.S. World Cup host cities remain in limbo over when they will receive their share of $625 million in federal security funding … On a recent call with the White House FIFA World Cup Task Force, led by Andrew Giuliani, host city officials pressed him for answers about the long-promised grants. … hey received little clarity beyond the explanation that there is just an ‘administrative delay.’” SPORTS BLINK, PART II — “Trump convening roundtable to discuss myriad issues facing college sports,” by Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger: “The invitee list is a who's who — key political figures, prominent college sports stakeholders, television executives, former national title-winning football coaches, a sitting state governor, the NBA commissioner and, even, pro golfers such as Tiger Woods.” OUT AND ABOUT — Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada hosted a celebration of Emperor Naruhito’s birthday at his residence Wednesday night. SPOTTED: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), Del. James Moylan (R-Guam), Caroline Landau, Michael Rigas, Allison Hooker, Jeffrey Kessler, William Kimmitt, Adrienne Arsht, Austrian Ambassador Petra Schneebauer, Monaco Ambassador Maguy Maccario Doyle, Dutch Ambassador Birgitta Tazelaar, Kathy “Coach” Kemper, Max Dickinson, German Ambassador Jens Hanefeld, Mongolian Ambassador Batbayar Ulziidelger, Latvian Ambassador Elita Kuzma, New Zealand Ambassador Chris Seed, Barby Allbritton, Alexandra de Borchgrave, Anne Neuberger, Aniko Schott, and David Edelman and Joanne Ke. — Widehall’s Steve Clemons hosted a 250th-anniversary book party Wednesday night at Cafe Milano for Richard Vague’s new book, “The Banker Who Made America: Thomas Willing and the Rise of the American Financial Aristocracy, 1731-1821” ($35), featuring a discussion with The Economist’s Archie Hall. SPOTTED: Deborah Lehr, Stuart Holliday, Emilia Valbum, Farah Ahmed, Belma Ambrose, Jim Baker, Katy Balls, Joe Bartlett, Margaret Carlson, Francesca Craig, Max Fenkell, Jennifer Dunn, Christian Emering, Sena Fitzmaurice, Jonathan Kott, Gayle Manchin, Kelsey Flora, Lyndon Boozer, Jesse Byrnes, Juleanna Glover, Dusty Riddle, Josh Rogin, Steven Scully, Christina Sevilla and Steve Rochlin, Cooper Yerby, Alex Slater, Joe Whited and Joseph Zeballos-Roig. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Run for Something is announcing three new members to its board of directors: Ilyse Hogue, a fellow at New America; Leah Israel, a DNC alum and strategist; and Wendi Wallace, formerly of the Democratic Governors Association. Addisu Demissie, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former campaign manager, has been named the new board chair. MEDIA MOVE — Matthew Kaminski is now a senior adviser and editor-at-large at defense tech startup publication The Arsenal. He is a POLITICO alum. TRANSITIONS — James Redstone is joining the Semiconductor Industry Association as director of government affairs. He most recently worked for the House Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee and is a Trump White House alum. … James Steffes is joining the American Gas Association as COO. He previously worked at Washington Gas Light. … … Matthew Pezzella joined Alston & Bird as a policy adviser on their legislative & public policy team. He previously worked for ASTM International. … David Bohigian is the new CEO of Meridian International Center. He previously created the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and led Stern Strategy Group. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) … Reps. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) and Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) … Chelsea Clinton … Ralph Nader … Greg Speed of America Votes … Robbie Aiken … Sasha Johnson of United Airlines … Rebecca Sinderbrand … Gary Knell … David Merritt of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association … Jill Adly … Dan Hull … Kate DePriest … Trevor Kolego … Mark Blumenthal … former Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Luke Messer (R-Ind.) … Eric Lesser … Maria Koklanaris Bonaquist … POLITICO’s Kelsey Wessels … Adrienne Morrell … Aria Austin … Nils Bruzelius … Anthony Daniels … Fox News’ Ashley DiMella … Julie Merz … Ava Bogart … Michael Smitsky of the Child Support Directors Association of California … Kirsten Messmer … Jove Oliver of Oliver Global … CNN’s Hadas Gold 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 editor Giuseppe Macri and deputy editor Garrett Ross.
| | | | A message from AHIP: 35 Million Seniors Could See Reduced Benefits and Higher Costs
Health plans welcome reforms to strengthen Medicare Advantage. However, a proposal for flat program funding at a time of sharply rising medical costs and high utilization of care will directly impact seniors' coverage. If finalized, this proposal could result in benefit reductions and higher costs for 35 million seniors and people with disabilities when they renew their Medicare Advantage coverage in October 2026. Learn more. | | | | | | | | Follow us on X | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Canada Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | |
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