From Rome to the Oval Office to Tennessee

From Rome to the Oval Office to Tennessee

May 7, 2026 · 13 min

About this episode

The episode discusses Marc Rubio's meeting with Pope Leo XIV and the political implications, alongside Trump's meeting with Brazilian President Lula and redistricting efforts in Tennessee.

Marc Rubio is at the Vatican to smooth things over with Pope Leo XIV after weeks of tension with the White House. Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Jack Blanchard discuss the political importance of this meeting and what is really at stake. Meanwhile, Trump hosts Brazilian President Lula, who has been very critical of the Iran War, at the Oval Office. And Republicans are back to redrawing maps—this time in Tennessee—where they are threatening the state’s lone Democratic House seat.

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