West Wing Playbook Newsletter

Key influencers, recent policy changes, and interesting tidbits circulating within the West Wing.

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Democrats eyeing a presidential bid scramble to un-woke themselves

13 hours ago | politico.com | Adam Wren |Elena Schneider

“Stop talking about bathrooms and locker rooms and start talking about the classroom,” said former Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel, the two-term Chicago mayor who said he is open to a 2028 presidential campaign.
The Polling on Elon Musk Is a Warning for Republicans

1 day ago | politico.com | Charles Mahtesian |Charlie Mahtesian

He’s a potentially dangerous man for Trump. Elon Musk and President Donald Trump shake hands during a press conference in the Oval Office at the White House May 30, 2025. | Francis Chung/POLITICO Charlie Mahtesian is senior politics editor at POLITICO. Donald Trump says he is surprised and disappointed with Elon Musk over the messy public meltdown of their partnership. He also should be wary.
Trump and Musk cool it - for now

1 day ago | politico.com | Megan Messerly |Ben Johansen |Sophia Cai |Irie Sentner

Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government, your guide to Donald Trump’s unprecedented overhaul of the federal government — the key decisions, the critical characters and the power dynamics that are upending Washington and beyond. | Subscribe | | | LATEST: The Supreme Court this afternoon gave the Department of Government Efficiency unfettered access to the Social Security records of millions of Americans, our JOSH GERSTEIN reports.
Supreme Court limits outside access to DOGE records

1 day ago | politico.com | Josh Gerstein

The high court said a judge’s directive allowing a watchdog group to examine DOGE’s recommendations for cost savings at executive branch agencies was “not appropriately tailored.” Tourists visit the Supreme Court on June 25, 2024, in Washington. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP The Supreme Court has reined in a lower-court order that allowed a watchdog group wide-ranging access to records of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
‘Mutually assured destruction’: Trump’s and Musk’s quiet day is less détente than Cold War

1 day ago | politico.com | Megan Messerly |Adam Cancryn |Jack Detsch |Joe Gould

Even as both men appeared to walk away from the edge, some White House officials and allies are privately acknowledging an uncomfortable truth: Trump is the most politically powerful man in the world, Musk is the wealthiest man in the world, and their fates have become inextricably linked. Musk needs U.S. contracts to support his businesses, and the U.S. needs the services Musk’s companies provide.
The Trump Administration Is Shutting Down a Gay Landmark Ahead of WorldPride

1 day ago | politico.com | Michael Schaffer

Thanks to a quirk of local rules that puts the federal government in charge of city parks, Dupont Circle has been fenced off just as people around the world come to DC for pride. Workers put up fencing around Dupont Circle ahead of the World Pride Parade, Friday, June 6, 2025, in Washington. | AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Michael Schaffer is a senior editor and columnist at POLITICO Magazine.
The AI lobby plants its flag in Washington

1 day ago | politico.com | Mohar Chatterjee

AI lobbyists are “very visible” and “very present on the hill,” said Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) in an interview at the Special Competitive Studies Project AI+ Expo this week. “They’re nurturing relationships with lots of senators and a handful of members [of the House] in Congress.
How much money will the FDA get next year?

1 day ago | politico.com | David Lim |Lauren Gardner

Sen. John Hoeven, who's in charge of FDA appropriations, says that the agency will be adequately funded. | Francis Chung/POLITICO FDA APPROPS INCHES FORWARD — House appropriators advanced a bill to fund the FDA for fiscal 2026 on a party-line vote out of a subcommittee Thursday — but the bill has a long path ahead before it potentially becomes law. The topline number from the House bill aligns with President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, which sought $6.8 billion for the FDA.
Garcia huddles with Pelosi

1 day ago | politico.com | Nicholas Wu
Trump-Musk split could leave Tesla politically homeless

1 day ago | politico.com | David Ferris

The core of the argument between the two men — whether the Republican spending package is a “big, beautiful bill” or a “MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK” — is a side concern for people whose main priority is Tesla. “The CEO of that company needs to spend his time focused on the company’s success,” said Nick Nigro, the head of Atlas Public Policy, which analyzes the electric vehicle market.