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By Dasha Burns, Will Steakin and Adam Wren |
Presented by JPMorganChase |
With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco and Irie Sentner Good Thursday morning. Here’s an eye-popper to start your morning. Get in touch. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Texas Democrat James Talarico raised a record-breaking $64 million this summer — the largest third-quarter haul of any Senate candidate in history, according to numbers shared first with Playbook. That brings his total raised to more than $134.3 million since launching his campaign in 2025. But Texas is an expensive state to run in, and Talarico already has had some $235 million spent against him as national Republicans scramble to hold the seat and boost Ken Paxton. For reference, Beto O’Rourke in his 2018 Texas Senate run raised a then-record $38.1 million in the third quarter, and South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison eclipsed that amount with a $57 million third quarter in 2020. Read more from Adam In today’s Playbook … — Trump asks around about Susie Wiles. — GOP operatives are livin’ on one midterms prayer. — The Boldfaces: Katie Wiles, James Blair, Chris LaCivita, Kevin McCarthy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Barack Obama, Katherine Clark, Paolo Zampolli, Christopher Landau, Katie Zacharia and more.
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DRIVING THE DAY |
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It’s Susie’s turn. At moments of frustration and adversity, President Donald Trump has long made a habit of calling up friends to ask what they think of his advisers — and whether he should consider making changes. These days, he’s asking about Susie Wiles, the once-unassailable White House chief of staff. Trump has been soliciting allies’ views of Wiles and musing about replacements for his top aide, according to four people with direct knowledge of the conversations. We’re told Trump is getting plenty of encouragement from rivals to Wiles and people who’ve felt “burned” by his loyal enforcer. Some have been sharing unfavorable coverage of Wiles and her family (more on that below) with the president. “She’s burned a lot of people,” a Republican operative close to the White House said. Trump stood by Wiles in a statement to Playbook. “TOTAL FAKE NEWS Politico doesn’t care about facts, integrity, or honest journalism — it’s why I kicked them out of the White House!” the president said. “Susie Wiles is my loyal and longest serving Chief of Staff — there is a reason for that. She has been with me since the beginning, is my trusted advisor, and has my COMPLETE confidence. President DONALD J. TRUMP.” And so far, Wiles has yet to discuss how long she’ll remain chief of staff with the president, according to a White House official familiar with the matter. Trump’s phone-a-friend inquiries have picked up with the approach of the November election, as he expresses private frustration with his feeble poll numbers. One senior elected Republican official who received a call from Trump said the president had raised “the first honest questions about Susie.” Trump has floated several people who could replace Wiles as chief of staff: The senior elected Republican official said the president had mentioned Stephen Miller, his deputy chief of staff, and Randy Levine, the president of the New York Yankees, as an outside-the-building option. Trump is also considering Steve Witkoff, Bill Pulte and Kevin McCarthy, people close to the president told us. Allies of McCarthy, the former House speaker, have been arguing that he could help Trump handle a hostile Democratic Congress. Tough midterms have a way of triggering staff changes at the top of the White House, even for aides once seen as untouchable. (Hi, Karl and Rahm!) There are also dynamics at play specific to Wiles. Trump has bristled at recent reports showing several longtime advisers are profiting from foreign consulting business, including top Wiles allies James Blair and Chris LaCivita (see the NYT). Katie Wiles, the chief of staff’s daughter, was reported (see the FT) to be representing Republika Srpska, the pro-Russian, semi-autonomous Bosnian Serb territory for which Blair and LaCivita also did work. Trump was not previously aware of Katie Wiles’ foreign work and rivals of Susie Wiles have made sure the headlines surrounding her daughter reached the president, one person close to the president said. “Susie has this whole cadre of people that have been found to have been monetizing his ecosystem pretty dramatically,” a senior outside adviser told Playbook. White House spokesperson Danielle Alvarez told Playbook in a statement “these anonymous sources know nothing,” and that Trump assembled a “united team focused on his America First agenda — not the egos and political games of anonymous outsiders.” Wiles has rebuffed previous attacks on her authority from inside and outside the building. This time they come at a moment of unusual turbulence within the White House and Trump’s party. “This is part of a larger struggle going on right now in Trump world,” one Trump ally told us. “And it’s only gonna become bigger.” On today’s Playbook Podcast: Dasha and Will investigate what’s changed between Trump and his longest-lasting chief of staff, plus how the Epstein files became a flashpoint in Iowa’s tight Senate race and why Volodymyr Zelenskyy feels betrayed by the U.S.
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A message from JPMorganChase: Investing in America’s strength
Through the Security and Resiliency Initiative, JPMorganChase is helping finance and invest in critical industries that strengthen America's economic resilience. Learn more. |
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THE DOWNLOAD |
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WHERE’S TRUMP?: The president is back at the White House after his western swing. He’s joining two tele-rallies tonight starting at 6 p.m., and he’ll head to Dalton, Georgia, tomorrow for a campaign rally.
- Cabinet files: VP JD Vance is heading back to the Midwest, hitting a midterm rally in Monroe, Michigan, today. But he’s not the only one of Trump’s top deputies looking to deliver a boost to battleground GOP candidates. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear alongside Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) in Virginia Beach to speak about shortages in the health care workforce.
IT’S DEBATE NIGHT: The last of four Maine Senate debates kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. — and on the opposite pole of the country, Alaska’s highly watched Senate race will see its final debate starting at 11 p.m. Eastern. AD IT UP: The AFL-CIO is launching a six-figure digital ad campaign against Republican David Flippo in Nevada’s 2nd District, featuring union members/veterans accusing him of stolen valor (allegations he’s blamed on a staff mistake). It’s the labor federation’s first time investing big resources in the typically safe-red district that’s now potentially competitive. They told Playbook the impetus was hearing organically from upset Reno-area veterans when the news broke. The ad is targeted to working-class swing voters, many in union households. Watch it here
- Out in Iowa: Former President Barack Obama is out with his ad backing Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek, featuring the two side-by-side speaking direct-to-camera on a basketball court. Watch the ad
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THE FRONT PAGE |
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A NEW HOPE: Some Republicans are clinging to one last bit of hope as their midterm prospects dim: that polling is off, POLITICO’s Myah Ward and colleagues write. That might not be enough for Republicans to have a great night, but they’re betting it’ll be closer to 2022, when predictions that Democrats would be pummeled fell flat. Even the smallest sampling error, over a dozen GOP operatives and pollsters said, could completely change how the night goes. REIN ME IN: Should Democrats take the House majority, Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) could restore “a sense of order” as majority leader, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) said, in a nod to Clark’s growing reputation as the Dem caucus’ enforcer, POLITICO’s Riley Rogerson reports from Ohio. But that job will get much harder in the majority, which could include both “majority-maker” moderates and democratic socialists. Clark has spent the last few weeks traveling across the country to build relationships in preparation. WELL-HEELED: Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper brought in more than $19.5 million for his North Carolina Senate bid during Q3, according to numbers shared first with POLITICO's Erin Doherty. More than 95% of donations were $100 or less. The massive haul comes as outside groups on both sides have pulled money from the state to prioritize other, more competitive contests, with public polling showing Cooper ahead in the final stretch.
- On the flip side: GOP nominee Michael Whatley’s campaign has temporarily gone dark on the airwaves, with no future linear TV reservations booked in the race as of now, Erin writes. Whatley’s campaign vowed they’ll “be back on the air shortly.”
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5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW |
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1. ILHAN OMAR LATEST: The Trump administration launched an aggressive push to search Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) house in an immigration fraud probe, but they first had to go through a federal magistrate judge, who limited how the DOJ could access Omar’s documents, CNN’s Katelyn Polantz and colleagues scoop. Agents also seized her phone, and they’ve sent out half a dozen subpoenas including to her family, per NYT. The investigation is looking to build a case to strip her citizenship and deport her, challenging how Omar obtained her citizenship decades ago, WSJ’s John McCormick and colleagues scoop. 2. TRAIL MIX: Former President Bill Clinton is making his first public appearance of the midterms, joining Democratic gubernatorial hopeful David Jolly in Florida next week, MS NOW’s Vaughn Hillyard scoops. … Aaron Day is pouring as much as $2.5 million to try to serve as a spoiler for the GOP in key Senate races, investing in ads to boost the name ID of third-party candidates, Semafor’s Burgess Everett reports. … Midterms ad dollars crossed $10 billion, making this cycle the most expensive election since 2018, NYT’s Teddy Schleifer reports. 3. DON-ROE DOCTRINE: The U.S. is sending hundreds of Army soldiers to train and conduct exercises in Latin America as the Pentagon doubles down on combatting drug trafficking in the hemisphere, NYT’s Eric Schmitt and colleagues report. The first deployment of a 600-solider battalion is heading down to Panama, and will train with local forces in Colombia and Honduras. 4. CUT OFF: Ukraine is entering a new phase of vulnerability in the war against Russia after its military lost access to parts of Starlink, which the country is pinning on possible restrictions from Washington, NYT’s Constant Méheut reports from Kyiv. Its energy system could be at risk of collapse from Russian strikes, while both sides have committed to an energy ceasefire. 5. SPEAK IT INTO EXISTENCE: Trump’s plan to buy Russian diesel is burning through political capital at home and abroad — but the move left the oil industry scratching its head, and the market shrugged off the move, POLITICO’s Mike Soraghan reports. Diesel prices fell only slightly, before quickly spiking again: It remains at $6.30 per gallon, more than $2.60 per gallon higher than a year ago.
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A message from JPMorganChase: Investing in America’s strength
Through the Security and Resiliency Initiative, JPMorganChase is helping finance and invest in critical industries that strengthen America's economic resilience. Learn more. |
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TALK OF THE TOWN |
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MUST-READ — “Nasty email fight between 2 top Trump appointees spills into the open,” by POLITICO’s Daniel Lippman: “Two top appointees of President Donald Trump, including the deputy secretary of State, have been embroiled in a monthslong fight that include accusations of leaks to the media and “bizarre” threats of defamation — all over emails that at times included more than a dozen administration officials. “The conflict centers on Paolo Zampolli, a personal friend of Trump’s and a special envoy at the State Department, and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, according to the messages obtained by POLITICO. The emails stretch over almost a year and show Zampolli and Landau disagreeing over chains of command as Landau admonishes Zampolli to stick to his remit on cultural issues — but devolve into bitter arguments and unproven allegations. “The messages stand out not just for the personal vitriol but because upward of 16 administration officials were included at times on the email chains, with the dispute at least once spilling over into communications with a top foreign official, opening a window into delicate State Department back-channeling to allies about apparent violations of diplomatic protocol.” CLEARING THE BAR — Questions have been swirling in recent days around whether new White House press secretary Katie Zacharia ever practiced law and where. WSJ’s Philip Wegmann and Alexandra Bruell scoop that Zacharia has not passed the bar exam in the U.S., after failing the test in California in 2011 following her graduation from Pepperdine Law School. Once she moved to China, she served as an international legal consultant, which did not require passing the bar. “She is uniquely qualified and whip smart to help inform the American people about all the great things President Trump and his Administration have been doing, and she will do an incredible job as Press Secretary," White House spokesperson Steven Cheung told WSJ. OUT AND ABOUT — Invariant hosted a happy hour last night at The Henri to welcome several recent hires. SPOTTED: Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, Andrew Ferguson, Cale Clingenpeel, Jacob Marco, Ethan Klein, Joe Simonson, Sean Spicer, Kimball Stroud, Jeff Wrase, Adam Donoho, Andrew Liang, Emory Cox, Hannah Zakaria, Saurabh Sharma, Delany Higgins, Meghan Selip, Braxton Wenk, Aaron Schmidt, Chloe Hunt, Sheridan O’Kelly, Erik Kinney, Will Smith, Mitch Moonier, Jack Lincon, Noelle Jones, Jeff Dobrozsi, Vince Jesaitis, Justin Herman, Wendy Donoho, Caroline Cooper, Megan Seymour, Danielle Beck, Heather Podesta, Anne MacMillan, Lindley Kratovil Sherer, Jamie Cheshire, Paige Willey, Carlos Paz Jr., Tim Gannon, Abby Wenk, Charlie Truxal, Elizabeth Thorpe, Aaron Groce, Joe Bushong, Noah Marine, Carolyn Coda, Claude Chafin, Amanda Bailey, Jennifer Drogus and Eli Stokols. — The Economic Innovation Group hosted its American Worker Conference last night at the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown. SPOTTED: John Lettieri, Raj Chetty, Eric Holcomb, David Shor, Richard Reeves, Derek Thompson, Patrick Ruffini, Jerusalem Demsas, Martha Gimbel, Scott Lincicome, Judge Glock, Alex Mechanick, Andrew Van Dam, Scott Winship, Scott Paul, John Bailey, Marc Goldwein, Mark Muro, Michael Clemens, Dominic Pino, Chad Maisel, Shoshana Weissmann, Chris Slevin, Marianne Wanamaker, Kate Bahn, Gonzalo Schwarz, Gbenga Ajilore, Cristina Tello-Trillo, Adam Millsap, John Ratliff, Michael Pisa, Liz Hipple, Teryn Zmuda, Chi Mac, Marissa Secreto, AnnElizabeth McMahon, Matt Darling, Aaron Thomas, Lee Tucker, Ella Fertitta, Vaishant Sharma, Emin Dinlersoz, Bitsy Perlman, Rushil Vashee and Sean Wang. THE VIEW FROM K STREET — FGS Global has acquired agriculture lobby shop The Russell Group, POLITICO’s Jacob Wendler scoops. It’s FGS’ third acquisition this year as it expands its K Street presence. More in POLITICO Influence TRANSITIONS — Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has launched CNQ Global Advisors, an independent geopolitical and strategic advisory firm, which he will chair. Brian Bulatao, a former top CIA and State Department official, will serve as vice chair and Matthew Kroenig, previously at the Atlantic Council and a Pentagon and CIA alum, will serve as president. … Benjamin Ridder is now director of retirement and financial security at the Bipartisan Policy Center. He previously worked for House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.). WEEKEND WEDDING — Annaliese Yukawa, senior policy adviser for Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), and Claire Mufson, producer for “1A” from WAMU and NPR, got married Sunday at Sylvanside Farm in Purcellville, Virginia. Pic … Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: NBC’s Jon Allen … Erica Loewe … Stat’s Rick Berke … Ken Griffin … Liz Sears Smith of Kent Strategies … Lis Smith … John Martin of Smith & Nephew … Jenni Pierotti Lim … Brian Walsh of Red Elephant Strategy … Heather Caygle … John Doty of Rep. Jerry Nadler’s (D-N.Y.) office … Mark Bednar … Liz Kenigsberg of SKDK … Bill Hoagland … John “JB” Byrd of Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies … Chris Godbey … Jose Villalvazo of Sen. Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) office … Haim Saban … Casey Harper of Family Research Council … Anthony O’Boyle … New Heights Communications’ Christy Setzer and Promise Pitman … Susan Ralston … Takaaki Abe … Anna Farías … former Rep. Rush Holt Jr. (D-N.J.) … Jim McFeely … Gigi Stone Woods … Meaghan Byrne 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 editors Giuseppe Macri, Garrett Ross and Kyler Alvord. Correction: Yesterday’s Playbook misstated the organization that Cody Hall is joining. It is Think Big. |
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