| | | |  | | By Jack Blanchard with Dasha Burns | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco, Irie Sentner and Makayla Gray On today’s Playbook Podcast: Jack and Dasha discuss the fear stalking Donald Trump’s top aides, and why the president holds the key to one of the biggest Senate races of the year.
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| Good Thursday morning. This is Jack Blanchard. Drop me a line. Another month until spring? The weather in D.C. might be hitting the 70s this weekend — but it’s been so cold this winter that the cherry blossom peak may be pushed into next month, WaPo’s Jason Samenow reports. “We’re predicting a peak bloom date for the Tidal Basin’s Yoshino trees between April 3 and 7,” he writes, “which would be the latest since 2018 (April 5). If the trees peak even later, that could surpass 2015 (April 10).” On the plus side: The first game of the baseball season is now less than three weeks away. In today’s Playbook … — “Getting screamed at to find some good news”: Why the White House is fretting about gas. — Another GOP senator tells Dasha that Trump should boost John Cornyn over Ken Paxton. — Texas Dems vent their anger over Jasmine Crockett’s failed campaign.
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | GAS PANIC: White House chief of staff Susie Wiles is sounding the alarm about soaring gas prices as the Iran war hits one of Trump’s domestic pressure points. The Wright stuff: The president’s top team is “looking under every rock for ideas on improving energy prices, especially gasoline prices,” one energy industry executive tells POLITICO’s oil and gas editor Ben Lefebvre in a story out this morning. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other advisers “are getting screamed at to find some good news,” the same executive said. “Folks are scrambling for announcements and messaging to counter the narrative” of rising prices, this person said. This is toxic stuff for Trump. As Playbook outlined yesterday, Wiles and her deputy James Blair have battled to keep the president focused on affordability as the midterms loom. And the president has made falling gas prices a central theme, mentioning them at every major event this year including his State of the Union address, his Super Bowl interview on NBC, the World Economic Forum in Davos and even his wife Melania’s movie premiere in D.C. Trump has talked gas prices at his “affordability tour” speeches in Texas, Georgia, Iowa and Michigan; in his press briefing to celebrate his first year back in office; in sit-down interviews with Fox News, Fox Business and NewsNation; and at countless press events elsewhere. But the attack on Iran — and Iran's subsequent targeting of the Persian Gulf's energy sector — has sent crude oil up by more than $10 a barrel, lifting gasoline prices higher than when Trump took office. Per AAA, they’ve leaped more than 20 cents a gallon in the past week, including the biggest single-day jump — on Tuesday — since 2022. Wiles knows a crisis when she sees one. Ideas under discussion in the White House include a temporary holiday on the gasoline tax, Ben reports — although that would require action from Congress, and there’s no guarantee oil refiners and gas stations would pass savings along. Some administration officials also floated using the U.S. military to defend energy infrastructure in the Middle East. In the meantime, the oil crisis in the Gulf is escalating fast. British officials said overnight a tanker was attacked off the coast of Kuwait — potentially a “significant escalation,” as Bloomberg’s Javier Blas notes. “If Iran (or uncontrolled elements) start attacking fully laden oil tankers **anywhere** in the Persian Gulf (rather than Hormuz), even at the risk of an oil spill, then all bets are off,” Blas writes. “It may prompt countries to stop loadings.” And we’re only five days in. The thing is: That starting a major war in the Middle East might have an impact on energy prices is not a novel prediction. Yet the White House didn’t start hitting the phones to discuss strategies until several days into the war, Ben reports. “The faction of the White House that would care about $80-90 oil [was] being silenced,” an executive tells him. “There [were] louder voices winning.” The official line out of the White House is that the war will ease oil prices in the long term. “Ultimately the energy industry is going to benefit from the president's actions with respect to Iran, because Iran will no longer be controlling the Strait of Hormuz and restricting the free flow of energy,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said yesterday. But when? The midterms are approaching fast — and a gas price spike directly links Trump’s war on Iran with the number one issue most Americans actually care about — the cost of living — in a demonstrably negative way. Expect Democrats to make hay if prices continue rising.
| | A message from Anthropic: MagicSchool uses Claude, built by Anthropic, for lesson plans and IEPs across 5,500 districts, so teachers can focus on the students in front of them. Learn more | | | | The fog of war: Iran continues to crowd out all other administration messaging. Yesterday’s White House event on powering AI data centers was designed to show Trump remains laser-focused on households’ energy costs. Yet the president opened the event by admitting to the media: “I think you probably want to speak about war, rather than this.” He then delivered a 620-word monologue on Iran, before moving to the matter at hand. Gamergate: There is frustration within Trump’s team that so much of the war coverage has been skeptical. The White House is trying to shift the negative vibes with montage videos of successful U.S. strikes on Iranian targets set to a thumping musical soundtrack, interspersed with footage from the video game “Call of Duty.” Then you had Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth complaining yesterday that the media is giving too much coverage to fallen U.S. service members. But the stories are hard to ignore. The Pentagon last night revealed the names of the final two U.S. servicemen killed in the drone attack in Kuwait over the weekend, and the tragic portraits are everywhere. NPR uncovered new details about the missile strike on a school in southern Iran that killed an estimated 165 people, many of them children. The school is less than 100 yards from an Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval base — a potential U.S.-Israeli target. The Pentagon said it’s investigating. And the messaging muddle is not getting better. The latest line from Trump yesterday was that Tehran was “two weeks away” from developing its own nuclear weapons before the first bombs fell, and the echoes of 2003 were unavoidable. Coverage of Leavitt’s press briefing was dominated by her admission that Trump went to war on a “feeling,” which is quite a line. Let’s see if Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby can do better before the House Armed Services Committee at 10 a.m. Trump will no doubt have more to say at his White House event with the Inter Miami MLS team this afternoon. Here’s the thing: Government messaging during times of war is normally incredibly tight. Administrations typically go into total lockdown mode, with spokespeople parrotting the official lines ad nauseum. There is no freelancing, no divergence of thought is permitted because the stakes are simply too high. Yet the past week from this administration has been the total opposite. And we’re witnessing the results. On the plus side for Republicans … Democrats have messaging issues of their own. This afternoon’s bipartisan war powers vote in the House is likely to fail due to the number of Dems voting with Republicans, POLITICO’s Inside Congress reports. And several Dems also said they may be open to voting for a $50 billion boost to Trump’s Iran war chest … despite their opposition to the war. FURTHER READING: “Trump’s lightbulb moment: America needs Europe after all” — POLITICO’s Tim Ross and Eli Stokols … ‘A Major Shock to the System’ — A POLITICO reporters’ roundtable dissects the early stages of the war …. “Trump Follows His Gut. His National Security Advisers Try to Keep Up” — NYT’s David Sanger says Trump has no real plan … “Russia Is Big Winner as Iran War Drains Supplies That Ukraine Needs” — WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski and Drew Hinshaw report on fears in Kyiv about the growing shortage of missile interceptors headed their way.
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| | | | TEXAS TWO-STEP THE FALLOUT CONTINUES: Everything’s bigger in Texas — including the political drama rocking both parties in the aftermath of Tuesday’s primaries. On the GOP side: The White House jumped into damage control mode as soon as it became clear that Texas AG Ken Paxton and incumbent Sen. John Cornyn were heading into a bitter and costly runoff. Trump said on Truth Social he’ll endorse soon and that whoever doesn’t get his support should drop out immediately. The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer and Ashley Parker scooped that Cornyn is the most likely recipient. That seems to be anathema for Paxton. He said last night he’d ignore the president’s instructions and stay in the race if Trump backs Cornyn. “I owe it to the people of Texas. I've spent a year of my life campaigning against John Cornyn because John has not represented the people of Texas well,” Paxton told the right-wing network Real America’s Voice. Most Republicans on Capitol Hill pray Trump does indeed pick Cornyn, who’s widely viewed as a stronger challenger to Talarico (but against whom Trump has held a 2020-related vendetta). Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) told Dasha in an exclusive interview for “The Conversation” this week that Cornyn is “without a doubt the candidate to win in November.” The full episode is out tomorrow. Subscribe here on Apple and Spotify Planet Dem: Black Democratic insiders are still frustrated that Dem voters rejected Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Senate bid in favor of James Talarico — but they’re not exactly surprised, POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker reports this morning. They diagnosed a series of mistakes Crockett and her camp made that contributed to her defeat, including an unfocused campaign with insufficient infrastructure, and a media strategy focused too heavily on social media. Now Black strategists and activists worry Black voters, especially women, will not turn out to support Talarico in November. Talarico is already working to ensure that doesn’t happen. In a victory speech last night, the state representative called Crockett a “colleague and a friend” and said he was “grateful for her voice and her leadership.” He then made a direct appeal to her supporters, who will need to show up in force for him to have any hope. “I know I wasn't your first choice, but I hope to earn your trust and earn your support,” Talarico said. GONZALES LATEST: Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who was cast into his own runoff Tuesday after his campaign was engulfed in scandal, admitted he had a sexual relationship with his former staff member who later died by suicide, POLITICO’s Aaron Pellish reports. “I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment,” he told radio host Joe Pagliarulo. That stunning admission came after POLITICO’s Chris Marquette scooped that the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Conduct determined it had “a substantial reason to believe” the affair occurred. NEW DEM PRIMARY TREND TO WATCH: “Rep. Valerie Foushee Defeats a Primary Challenge From the Left With Help of an AI Money Boost,” by NOTUS’ Christa Dutton: “[Incumbent Rep. Valerie] Foushee [(D-N.C.)] defeated Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam by just 1,200 votes in a race marked by robust outside spending for both candidates, including a big boost for Foushee from the artificial intelligence industry.”
| | | | POLITICO Live Event Washington has made bold promises to revitalize American infrastructure. On March 6, POLITICO will bring together key stakeholders from government and industry at the 2026 CONEXPO-CON/AGG show to discuss the policy decisions being made today that will shape infrastructure — and the construction industry — tomorrow. Register to watch. | | | | | BEST OF THE REST POPCORN AT THE READY: Expect another high-tension hearing on the Hill soon after five House Oversight Republicans joined the panel’s Democrats to subpoena AG Pam Bondi to testify about her handling of the Epstein files, POLITICO’s Hailey Fuchs reports. It’s an extraordinary next step in the committee’s investigation into the late convicted sex offender’s sprawling network of global power brokers — and underscores the long-building frustration some members of Bondi’s own party have with the AG. STILL STANDING: “Trump Keeps Gambling With the Economy — And Getting Away With It,” by POLITICO’s Victoria Guida: “The U.S. now finds itself in another acute economic risk situation … and, so far, [Trump is] mostly getting away with it. … By the biggest readings of its health, the U.S. economy — measured by overall growth, the job market, the stock market, even inflation — largely keeps absorbing what he throws at it.” RETIREMENT SEASON: Montana Sen. Steve Daines will not seek reelection, making him the sixth Republican senator headed for the exits ahead of the midterms, POLITICO’s Sophia Cai and colleagues report. But there were instant accusations of a stitch-up when Daines endorsed U.S. Attorney for Montana Kurt Alme, who filed to run for the seat after Daines withdrew just minutes before the deadline closed on Tuesday evening. Trump quickly lined up behind Alme. Recall that Rep. Chuy García (D-Ill.) was admonished last year for a hardball political maneuver that set up his chief of staff to succeed him. And in Utah: “Utah Republican Burgess Owens announces he’ll retire at the end of this term,” by POLITICO’s Aaron Pellish: Owens’ “retirement helps Utah Republicans avoid a possible member-on-member primary after a Utah judge implemented a new congressional map that … drew Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah) and Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) into the same district.”
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| | | | PRESSURE ON POLIS: Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signaled he’s open to freeing local election official (and “MAGA martyr”) Tina Peters, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for electoral crimes after the 2020 election. Trump — who does not have the power to pardon state-level crimes — has repeatedly called for her release and threatened “harsh measures” against Colorado if she’s not freed, AP’s Colleen Slevin and Nicholas Riccardi report. COURT SAYS COUGH UP: A federal judge last night ruled that the Trump administration must begin refunding to businesses the more than $130 billion in tariff revenue it collected before the Supreme Court struck down the president’s tariff authority, WSJ’s Lydia Wheeler and colleagues report. The administration is expected to appeal the ruling. POLITICO CONVENES LEADERS IN ALBANY: On Wednesday, March 11, POLITICO will convene policy and political leaders for the first “New York Agenda: Albany Summit.” Albany sets a policy agenda that ripples far beyond New York’s borders and, in the weeks ahead, state leaders will face pivotal budget and legislative decisions. Key speakers include: State Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D), state Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D), Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D), and more. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, and you can register here to attend in-person and to watch the livestream.
| | | | POLITICO Pro POLITICO Pro Briefings give subscribers direct access to in-depth conversations on the policy issues shaping government. Led by POLITICO reporters, these live interactive sessions go beyond the headlines to explain what’s happening, why it matters, and what’s coming next.
➡️ Get on the Invite List | | | | | | | TALK OF THE TOWN | | EVICTED — The National Children's Museum is being forced to vacate its current home in the Ronald Reagan Building to make room for about 6,000 FBI employees who are moving in, Washington Business Journal’s Ben Peters reports. GSA Administrator Ed Forst told Congress that finding a new location for the museum and science center was an “important priority” for the GSA and that he’d raised the issue to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. OUT AND ABOUT — Puck last night hosted its First Amendment Party at the residence of French Ambassador Laurent Bili, where co-founder Jon Kelly presented the First Amendment Award to Andrew Ross Sorkin. SPOTTED: Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), Chris and Elise Klomp, Noah Sofio, Alex Flemister, Seval Oz, Karen Sessions, David Ignatius, Weijia Jiang, Kara Swisher and Amanda Katz, Lynda Carter, Sarah Personette, Liz Gough, Patty Jenkins, Cesar Conde, Kaitlan Collins, Pamela Brown, Kinsey Fabrizio, Michael Petricone, Jill Hazelbaker, Josh Dawsey, Sumi Somaskanda, Cat Zakrzewski, Kasie Hunt, Katelyn Bledsoe, Olivia Igbokwe, Steve Thomma, Shawn McCreesh and Peter Baker and Susan Glasser. — Humane World Action Fund hosted its annual “Humane Awards” reception yesterday on Capitol Hill. SPOTTED: Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Kitty Block and Sara Amundson. Pic — The North American Blueberry Council held a reception last night on the Hill that included a “blueberry smash” specialty cocktail, chicken skewers with blueberry glaze, watermelon and blueberry skewers, and blueberry hummus. SPOTTED: Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Kasey Cronquist, Alyssa Houtby, Carlye Winfrey, Hayley Fernandes, Abby Goins, Robert Guenther, Angela Tiwari, T.A. Hawks, Lilia McFarland Horder and Reed Middleton. — Internet Works hosted its annual “Middle Tech Mixer” on Capitol Hill this week. SPOTTED: Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), Kate Sheerin, Matthew Jensen, Belinda Sirha, Caitlin Brosseau, Billy Easley, Angela Hooks, Emmett O’Keefe, Jenn Hodges, Lindsey Evans, Richard de Sam Lazaro, Robert Yeakel, Tim Lynch, Sam Rizzo, Andres Hoyos, Dan Black and Peter Chandler. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Climate Power is launching a new Climate Urgency Campaign, with the aim of connecting climate change to daily life and higher costs — and holding Republicans’ feet to the fire on disaster relief. The group is adding Mia Logan to lead the campaign as senior adviser, with Monica Medina and John Morales joining as co-chairs. TRANSITIONS — Jamal Simmons is joining Sunset Lane Media as senior adviser. He previously worked for VP Kamala Harris. … Evan LeFlore is joining Better Markets as director of AI, innovation and economic opportunity. He most recently worked at the Federal Reserve Board. … Christopher A. Appel is joining Better Markets as director of banking policy. He most recently worked at the Federal Reserve Board. … … Dominick V. Freda is joining Better Markets as legal director. He most recently worked in the Office of the General Counsel at the SEC. … Mark Wetjen has joined the Backpack Exchange as the president of Backpack US. He most recently worked at OKX. … Jane Flegal is joining The States Forum as a senior fellow. She was most recently the inaugural executive director at the Blue Horizons Foundation and is a Biden White House alum. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Elise Sidamon-Eristoff, a consulting manager in EY’s government and public sector department, and Harry Andreades, a senior manager for technology to market at Westinghouse, recently welcomed Ioannis “Yianni” Andreades, who is named after his paternal grandfather. Pic … Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Reps. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) and Dave Min (D-Calif.) … MJ Lee … Fox News’ Chad Pergram … Stephen Goepfert … Jordan Fabian … Ken Lerer … Matthew Albence of GrindStone Strategic Consulting … Alan Miller … Class-Five Strategies’ Erick Mullen … John Twomey … Roy Gutman … April Mellody … Matt Dorf of West End Strategy Team … Kyle Stewart … Phil Hardy … Fred Davis … Ron Boehmer … CBS’ Jacob Rosen … Win Ellington … Drake Henle … Sarah Little … Peter Metzger … Deloitte’s Carley Berlin … Sharon Block … Kolby Keo … Danny Schwarz … POLITICO’s Anastazja Kolodziej and Chris Kedzierski … David Unger … National Pharmaceutical Council’s John O’Brien 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.
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