The AfD's win in Germany is a dark day for Europe.  Time is running out to stop the far right  —  This party is among the most extreme in Europe.  To protect our democracies, liberal parties must urgently change their tactics  —  The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) …

Why Did Trump Order Up 660 Million Pounds of Mystery Meat?  —  If you buy a T-shirt at Gap, it will have a label that tells you where it was made.  That's federal law.  —  The same is true for automobiles, appliances, television sets, every fresh or frozen fruit and vegetable sold at the supermarket.

Amy Acton attacked at campaign event near Youngstown; multiple people reportedly injured  —  Amy Acton was reportedly attacked at a campaign event near Youngstown on Sunday.  —  According to a statement put out by Acton's campaign, an armed individual lunged at Acton while she was at the Canfield Fair …

Trump says he's made ‘Hundreds of Billions of Dollars on Stocks’ for the U.S., in stream of AI posts … President Donald Trump posted a stream of AI-generated images and a series of sweeping and unverified claims on Truth Social on Sunday, including saying that he has made hundreds of billions …

America's expensive groceries are getting less safe to eat  —  Plenty of Americans feel like they're forking over a fortune for groceries—only to get hit with a recall notice that forces them to throw that expensive food out. … - The average American household pays more than $10,000 …

As War Grinds On, Trump Relishes Renovation Projects  —  President Trump is basking in the momentum of the various projects he has spurred around downtown Washington.  —  Howard Lutnick, President Trump's billionaire commerce secretary, was holding court before reporters outside …

The federal government is falling apart  —  When a president is failing, it's not always easy to see that in your daily life.  I would argue that George W. Bush made a lot of bad decisions throughout his presidency, but most Americans didn't feel that in their personal lives until the 2008 financial crisis …

Newsom offers hugs in South Carolina  —  With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco and Irie Sentner  —  Good Monday morning, and happy Labor Day.  This is Will Steakin.  The Playbook Podcast and Playbook PM are off today for the holiday, but we'll be back in your feeds tomorrow.  Get in touch.

Iran war drives $100 billion in extra energy costs for U.S. consumers  —  The war in Iran has now cost U.S. consumers $100 billion in higher energy prices, and the bill is rising another $1 million about every two minutes, per a real-time estimate from Brown University as of Monday morning.

Farm state Republicans confront a difficult political bind  —  Republicans across the country are facing a tough election year.  But for GOP lawmakers in farm country, 2026 could be especially brutal.  —  Tariffs, beef imports and high fuel and fertilizer prices are hitting agricultural communities especially hard.

The math behind a Democratic wave — or a GOP upset  —  Redistricting has helped House Republicans build a seawall that can withstand a roughly 5-point Democratic wave. … Democrats have been running roughly 10 points ahead of their 2024 presidential performance in special elections this year.

With a Gerrymander Vanquished, Wisconsin Democrats Aim for Control  —  The swing state of Wisconsin had one of the most undemocratic State Assembly maps in the country.  Now Democrats have a chance to take control of the legislature.  —  State Representative Jenna Jacobson goes door to door …

Collins's Kavanaugh vote becomes key weapon for opponents  —  Democrats and reproductive rights groups are zeroing in on Sen. Susan Collins's (R-Maine) vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a pillar of their campaign to oust her, arguing she paved the way for the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The GOP Senate Campaign Gone Disastrously Wrong in Georgia  —  Scandals weigh on Rep. Mike Collins's bid to topple Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff  —  ATLANTA—When Georgia Republican Rep. Mike Collins announced his candidacy for Senate last year, his official “war room” account on X posted …