POLITICO Playbook

In a Washington run by a reality star, what’s seven more? Real Housewives from across the Bravo universe descended on the Capitol yesterday, spawning a frenzy. Playbook caught up with Countess Luann de Lesseps and Nene Leakes, who had some thoughts on the D.C. scene.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is joining the (not-so-exclusive) club of politicians releasing books ahead of the 2028 presidential race. Read the details in today’s Playbook👇 politi.co/4cXKYHd

Takaichi's visit with Trump was supposed to be a lighter one to talk about cherry blossoms, trade and his upcoming trip to China. None of that went according to plan — and it's created a nightmarish situation for the Japanese PM. More in @playbookdc👇 politi.co/4cXKYHd

FIP: Snail mail is Deputy Energy Secretary James Danly’s main form of communication. See the details in today's Playbook politico.com/playbook

New this morning: Maine Gov. Janet Mills' ad scorching Graham Platner's sexual assault remarks, reported by @adamwren. politico.com/playbook

Trump allies are "increasingly worried" that he "has not yet ruled out" American boots on the ground in Iran, our @DashaBurns reports. "That just has people kind of spiraling right now," she tells our @Jack_Blanchard_ on #PlaybookPod. 🎧 politi.co/4uz9XqH

Some Senators were not mincing words about Sam Bankman-Fried's efforts to be pardoned by Trump. Read more about it in today's Playbook PM ⬇️politico.com/playbook

Trump unleashed a flurry of fury on Truth Social late Sunday night after speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. Check out the highlights in today's Playbook politico.com/playbook 👀

Will tonight’s Academy Awards make for a big political story or steer clear of hot-button issues? The latest in Playbook: politico.com/newsletters/pl…

Scoop in @playbookdc: Hoosier Leadership for America, @Jim_Banks's political nonprofit run by @Surabees, plans to carpet-bomb seven Indiana state Senate races with $3 million alone ahead of the May 5 primary. MAGA’s best effort at retribution over redistricting is expected to be more than $5 million in national money. @club4growth and @TPUSA will join effort. politico.com/newsletters/pl…

New in @playbookdc: Immigration is at the center of Dem primary season as some candidates face criticism over their voting history. "People are scrambling to make sure that their record is going to be clean come '26" politico.com/newsletters/pl…

Immigration faultlines are shifting ahead of the midterms, setting off a growing trend of Democrats reckoning with their voting history. More from @_alibianco in Playbook PM: politico.com/playbook

In light of his rocky relationship with Kristi Noem, border czar Tom Homan is already laying the groundwork with Noem’s replacement at DHS, Markwayne Mullin. More in Playbook ⬇️ politico.com/playbook

Scoop in @playbookdc: @JohnCornyn’s latest ad features a voice-of-God-like narrator who accuses Paxton of violating three of the Ten Commandments. Watch: youtu.be/JrokLfA5TeU?si…

Scoop in @playbookdc: YES Campaign (Virginians for Fair Elections) is dropping its latest version of an ad featuring former President Barack Obama, backed by 7 figures. The ad: youtu.be/-jKJzcXfy2E

How much oil price pain can the White House take? About three to four weeks, @meganmesserly and @nahaltoosi report this morning. More in Playbook ⬇️ politico.com/playbook

Trump is delaying his endorsement in the Texas GOP Senate primary to ramp up pressure on congressional Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, our @DashaBurns and @liz_crampton scooped. Read the latest in this morning's @playbookdc👇 politi.co/3PskWly

Democrat @grahamformaine receives a third Senate endorsement from @SenatorHeinrich ⬇️ politico.com/playbook

Universities and businesses challenging Trump's imposition of a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications argued today that SCOTUS' recent ruling striking down tariffs should apply to them, too. More in Playbook PM politico.com/playbook 👇

Oil prices are climbing and we may not have seen the worst of it yet. Read more in today's Playbook ⬇️ politico.com/playbook